held up well off the pace, headway 4 out, led before next, not fluent and headed 2 out, one pace flat
tracked leader in strongly run race, hit 2nd, led 4 out, headed before next, soon weakened
set strong pace, not fluent, headed 4 out, weakened next
chased leading pair who went clear 2nd, lost place 6th, msitake 9th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
in rear and well off the pace, not always fluent, headway before 3 out, soon close up, led and mistake 2 out, driven flat, headed close home
held up well off the pace, not fluent 2nd, headway 3 out, not much room 2 out, went 2nd before next, stayed on well, led close home
Croco Bay returned to form with a vengeance in this grade at Ascot last time with Oscar Hill beaten a distance in fourth. But a 15lb rise in the weights may take its toll on him and MY BROTHER SYLVEST makes more appeal. David Pipe's charge missed the whole of last year but returned to action with a narrow defeat by Brick Red at Sandown a fortnight ago and faces an easier task today. Arkaim has plenty to find with the selection on latest running but Cold March could be thereabouts having placed in similar company on his last couple of outings. Tanks For That has only won an all-weather bumper since 2011 and has his first start since last May while Keel Haul may struggle in this grade.
Croco Bay (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 2nd 8th, led 4 out, drew well clear after next, very easily, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov beating Lancetto (10-13) by 19l, 10 ran.
Oscar Hill (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led and soon clear, headed before 8th, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, driven along in 3rd after 3 out, 2nd 2 out until between last two, 4th and one pace before last, went 3rd towards finish until close home, 4th of 10, 28l behind Croco Bay (10-8) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
My Brother Sylvest 20-1 (10-3) Chased leader after 2nd, led 6th until 8th, pressed leader, led again 3 out, driven between last two, narrowly headed last, pressed winner run-in, just held, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Brick Red (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Tanks For That (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd 5 out, 2nd 3 out, challenged next, no impression and kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Mallowney (11-4) at Punchestown 2m hcap ch in May.
Cold March (FR) 15-8 (11-4) Soon tracking leader until 4th, chased leading pair, outpaced 7th, chased clear leader 11th, closed steadily next, led 3 out, 3 lengths clear 2 out, ridden 2 lengths ahead last, idled badly run-in, caught last stride, 2nd of 5, shd behind Lost Legend (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Jan.
Arkaim 9-1 (10-4) Led until narrowly headed 6th, pressed leader, led gain 8th until 3 out, soon dropped to 3rd, mistake 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Brick Red (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Keel Haul (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) In rear, mistake 8th, well beaten 13th, 10th of 12, 35l behind Generous Ransom (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) sft in Jan.
