prominent on inside, lost place after 5th, behind when pulled up after 8th
held up, not always fluent, hampered 3rd, closed next, outpaced 4 out, mistake 3 out, went 3rd but weakened next
tracked leaders on outside, not always fluent, every chance 4 out, beaten when jumped right into rival 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led after 4th, headed 6th, not fluent 4 out, beaten when hampered next, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 7th, 2nd after 4 out, not fluent next, led last, stayed on
led until after 4th, led 6th, mistake 2 out, hit last and headed, stayed on, held towards finish
held up, jumped left and bumped 3rd, mistake and outpaced 7th, 6th and no impression when mistake, slithered on landing and unseated rider 3 out
NonRunner
GREY GOLD (NAP) was gaining his sixth victory over fences when landing a similar grade contest at Sandown a couple of weeks ago so it's a surprise to see him raised just 2lb and he can go in again. Pain Au Chocolat hasn't progressed from landing a novice chase at Newcastle a year ago and was well beaten in a two-runner race last time but Astre De La Cour was caught right on the post over the track and trip last time and the better going should see him difficult to catch. However, the latter has gone up 5lb and Gardefort is still 7lb higher than his last victory over a year ago. Ut Majeur Aulmes was in excellent form around this time a year ago but would need to put a poor recent run at Warwick behind him.
Grey Gold (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Jumped left on occasions, tracked leaders, 2nd 9th led after next (4 out), went left 2 out and last, edged left but stayed on gamely under pressure run-in, won at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb beating Dream Bolt (10-1) by 2l, 7 ran.
Croco Bay (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 2nd until 6th, chased leader until 8th, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 8th of 9, 18 1/2l behind Sire De Grugy (11-12) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Not fluent, reminders after 7th, switched outside next, outpaced when hampered 5 out, headway under pressure next, ridden after 3 out, went 4th approaching last, never on terms, 4th of 9, 15 1/2l behind Oldgrangewood (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Pain Au Chocolat (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked winner, shaken up after 4 out, soon beaten, mistake and slithered on landing 2 out, last of 2, 11l behind Politologue (11-3) at Kempton 2m 4f (2) gs in Feb.
Gardefort (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Held up behind, headway before 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 4th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Upsilon Bleu (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Astre De La Cour (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Prominent, not fluent and led 3rd, headed after next, led 6th, headed next, led after 4 out, pecked last, driven flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Baby King (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Somchine 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Ut Majeur Aulmes (FR) 6-1 (12-3) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, outpaced from 8th, modest 4th 2 out until towards finish, 5th of 6, 20 1/2l behind Overtown Express (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
