made all, not always fluent, pushed along after 3 out, pressed last, stayed on, holding 2nd final 75 yards
chased leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, challenged last, held final 75 yards
chased winner until after 4 out, held from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish
held up in rear, not always fluent, headway 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, no impression last, lost 3rd towards finish
mid-division, not much room 5th, headway before 3 out, weakened before last
raced keenly, not fluent towards rear, well beaten 3 out
mid-division, jumped right at times, slow 6th, weakened before 3 out
NonRunner
Glencassley won a bumper here last year and made an impressive start over timber at Southwell in May. Breakaway Buoy has been well beaten in all starts but bumper winner Not What It Seems showed improved form on his latest start over timber here in April. SIRUH DU LAC is in a different league to these but has had his problems. He hasn't been seen since coming to grief for the third time in succession in a Grade 3 handicap chase at Cheltenham last November. However, he'd won at that level on the same track the previous twice and looks on a fact-finding mission back over timber here. Cardano, six-times a winner on the Flat and rated 96, is a classy recruit to hurdles and looks the main threat.
Glencassley (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Chased leader, pushed along along before 2 out, led approaching last, drew clear, stayed on well, won at Southwell 2m (4) gd in May beating Imperial Hope (11-0) by 9 1/2l, 4 ran.
Not What It Seems (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, steady headway on inside after 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 11, 7 1/4l behind Fete Champetre (11-4) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Olly Golly 14-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, off the pace in 4th, left modest 3rd 3 out, mistake next, dropped to 4th near finish, 4th of 8, dist behind Northofthewall (11-10) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
Phoenix Strike 12-1 (8-7) Slowly away and pushed along in rear early, pushed along over 5f out, under pressure over 3f out, minor progress over 1f out but no threat, 9th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Out Of Breath (9-6) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Trac (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on, 4th of 8, 4l behind Hondoland (10-12) at Compiegne 2m 3f hvy in Jun.
Pound Off You 12-1 (9-0) Midfield, nudged along over 3f out, went second 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on well to lead final 50yds, won at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (6) gf in Sep beating Major Snugfit (10-4) by nk, 10 ran.
Robyn Pud (IRE) 80-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, last and pushed along halfway, tailed off from over 4f out, last of 7, dist behind Yagood (9-13) at Nottingham 2m hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Breakwater Buoy (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Raced wide in rear, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Only The Bold (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) sft in Feb.
Cardano (USA) 17-2 (9-10) Tracked leader, challenged 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, soon no chance with winner, kept on for 2nd, 2nd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Summer's Knight (8-8) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Siruh Du Lac (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Disputing lead when awkward and unseated rider 1st, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
