went slightly left at times, led, ridden and headed before 2 out, no impression on winner before last
in rear, not always fluent, well behind from 10th, pulled up before 4 out
soon chasing leaders, not fluent 9th, ridden and beaten from 4 out, 3rd when fell last
tracked leader until after 1st, in touch, dropped off leaders 11th, closed 15th, ridden and no impression 4 out, hampered and left 3rd last
jumped left at times, tracked leader after 1st, mistake 9th, led before 2 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well
Zeroeshadesofgrey made his chasing debut over this track and trip last October and started favourite but jumped poorly and finished a well beaten runner-up. He returned for the same race last month and won very easily though two of his four opponents failed to finish. Allez Cool landed a Catterick staying handicap over hurdles in February and makes his chasing debut while Flashback, another newcomer to the bigger obstacles, has scored twice over hurdles on testing ground though he jumped moderately when beaten at long odds-on here in April. He'll make a bold bid to take advantage of the 7lb he receives from the top weight. Pithivier easily landed a handicap hurdle at Southwell a year ago but hasn't been seen since disappointing in a better race at Ascot in December. ACTINPIECES began a winning run over hurdles when scoring on this course a year ago. She subsequently competed at a high level before returning to make her debut over fences here last month where she was in touch when unseating her rider at the last. She's had a confidence booster back over hurdles and her allowances can help her gain her first chasing victory.
Zeroeshadesofgrey (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Made all, joined after 5 out, drew clear when hit 3 out, pushed out flat, comfortably, won at Wetherby 3m (4) gd in Oct beating Royal Vacation (11-4) by 11l, 4 ran.
Allez Cool (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Close up, lost place 6th, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Divine Port (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Flashjack (IRE) 1-5fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led after 3rd, headed 2 out, ridden before last, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Overtheedge (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Apr.
Pithivier (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, pushed along 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd before next, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 9th of 13, 25l behind Masterplan (11-3) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Actinpieces 7-1 (11-0) Tracked winner until 6th, tracked leaders, mistake 10th, dropped to rear 12th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, last of 6, 21 1/4l behind Desert Queen (11-0) at Market Rasen 3m lst (1) gd in Nov.
