led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, stayed on from 3 out
mid division, blundered and unseated 11th
mid division, one pace from 4 out
prominent, lost place 12th, no danger after
in touch, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on well
prominent, lost place halfway, pulled up 4 out
mid division, mistake 2nd, no chance from 4 out
in rear, bad mistake 10th, kept on from 3 out
prominent, ridden and weakened 14th
always in rear, never troubled leaders
Cape Tribulation won this in 2012 and was third last year and trainer Malcolm Jefferson has won two of the last three renewals - it would be no surprise to see the 10-year-old in the firing-line again. Corrin Wood jumped well until tiring on his reappearance at Sandown and will strip fitter here while it was hard not to be impressed by the manner of Broadway Buffalo's victory at Haydock last Saturday. He has a penalty to contend with but won't be far away again if getting the run of the race. Cedre Bleu and Dolatulo were second and eighth in the Grand Sefton in Aintree but neither are proven over today's distance and the latter is held by Broadway Buffalo on the form book. VINTAGE STAR can win this for his yard for the second year running if on-song. He's produced a couple of decent runs this season and is now back on the same mark as when running Wychwood's Brook close in a Grade 2 at Haydock just under a year ago. Knock A Hand may be best of the rest.
Corrin Wood (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Jumped well, led until 3 out, soon no chance with winner, lost modest 2nd close home, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Black Thunder (11-11) at Sandown 3m lst chs (1) sft.
Cape Tribulation 16-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, some headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, well behind Sam Winner (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Trustan Times (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Towards rear, hampered 4 out, never dangerous, pulled up, in a race won by Aubusson (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Cedre Bleu (FR) 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division in touch, tracked leaders 10th, (bechers brook), went 2nd going well before last, shaken up approaching elbow, kept on same pace, held final 120 yards, 2nd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Poole Master (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs.
Vintage Star (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) In touch, lost place 5th, chased leader 11th to 5 out, ridden and regained 2nd after next, no chance with winner after, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Newcastle 3m listed hcp chs (1) sft in Nov.
Dolatulo (FR) 15-2fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, blundered 7th, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 8th of 16, 12l behind Poole Master (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs.
Knock A Hand (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 10th, in a race won by Oscar Time (10-12) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) gs, 25 ran.
Fentara 25-1 (11-6) Held up behind, fell 10th, in a race won by Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Newcastle 3m listed hcp chs (1) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Broadway Buffalo (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Behind, smooth headway 5 out, tracked leaders next, led on bit last, driven clear, ran on strongly (2 fences ommited), won at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy beating Toby Lerone (10-10) by 4l, 8 ran.
Rose Of The Moon (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, in a race won by According To Trev (10-11) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Master Of The Hall (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 9, well behind Phoenix Returns (10-8) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy.
