always towards rear
chased leaders, led 4 out, held on gamely flat
prominent, challenged last, no extra close home
in touch, ridden 4 out, pulled up before next
prominent, weakened 4 out, soon tailed off
led, headed 4 out, soon behind
in touch, one pace from three out
mid division till weakened 3 out
chased leaders, one pace from 2 out
mid division, pulled up 3 out
always towards rear
towards rear, never troubled leaders
held up, never dangerous
SPANISH FLEET is in terrific form and could take this step up in grade in his stride. He's gone up another 8lb since completing a Carlisle hat-trick but is obviously improving at a rate of knots and may have too much for top weight Volcanic, who never threatened despite finishing third at Bangor last time. No Planning is making his seasonal reappearance and will be back over fences sooner rather than later while a recent absence may also count against Rayadour with his trainer saddling fellow course winners Pay The King and Embsay Crag as well. Cape York and Feast Of Fire could sneak onto the podium if running up to their best.
Volcanic (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Close up in rear, hit 3rd, ridden and no impression 3 out, left 3rd at last, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Kilmurvy (11-2) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
No Planning 16-1 (10-6) In touch, went 2nd after 5 out, led 3 out, soon ridden, blundered next, pressed before last, stayed on well flat, won at Haydock 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr beating Shotavodka (10-6) by 3l, 11 ran.
Spanish Fleet 2-1fav (11-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd on long run to 4th, led 2 out (normal 4 out), driven bypassing last, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Nov beating Pistol (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Royal Moll (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Mid-division, driven and weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Kayfleur (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f mares hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft, 10 ran.
Vif Argent (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Close up, chase leader 10th until ridden 13th, weakening when blundered 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Presented (10-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Cyrien Star 7-2 (11-12) Held up mid-division on outer, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Molly's A Diva (11-9) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Trapper Peak (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, modest 5th 4 out, driven in 4th before 3 out until 3 out, soon eased, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Vazaro Delafayette (10-8) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Cape York 4-1 (11-5) Led, not that fluent, headed 5th, soon led again, mistake 4 out, headed 3 out, mistake and no extra from next, 6th of 8, 16l behind Vesperal Dream (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Pay The King (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden to challenge before 3 our, weakened before last, 7th of 10, 26l behind Silver Dragon (10-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Embsay Crag 9-2fav (11-2) Midfield, effort 4 out, soon no impression, 8th of 10, 26l behind Silver Dragon (10-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Powerful Ambition (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd or 4th, blundered badly and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Samingarry (10-2) at Aintree 3m 1f nov Limited hcap ch (3) gd in Oct '13, 6 ran.
Feast Of Fire (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Quel Elite (11-1) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft.
Rayadour (IRE) 4-1fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, soon chased winner, kept on and always held, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Pumped Up Kicks (11-8) at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.
