in touch on inside, went 2nd before 6th until not fluent next, chased leaders, went 2nd again approaching 2 out, disputing lead and every chance last, driven and stayed on same pace run-in
chased leaders, pushed along before 5th, ridden and weakened before 7th, tailed off
not fluent 1st, held up in last pair, steady headway approaching 7th, chased leading pair 2 out, led last, stayed on well run-in
chased leaders, reminders and weakened after 6th, tailed off
took keen hold, jumped left and hung left most of way, chased leader, led and went badly left 5th, headed before 3 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, headway approaching 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well flat, went 3rd towards finish, never nearer
raced wide, held up in mid-division, headway 6th, chased leaders next, led approaching 3 out, headed last, unable to quicken run-in, lost 3rd towards finish
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 6th, went 2nd next, chance when hit 3 out, soon ridden, lost 2nd before next, weakened 2 out
raced keenly, led, headed and hampered 5th, lost 2nd before next, weakened soon after, tailed off
in touch, pushed along and weakened before 6th, tailed off
The four-year-old Ainsi Fideles looked ready to win soon when chasing home Castlemorris King at Fontwell but could have done without a 3lb rise. My Lord has been busy on Polytrack and won over the minimum trip here in September but Balzaccio hasn't won since 2011. STIFF UPPER LIP landed a novice hurdle at Towcester last month and was entered in a much better race than this at Sandown a week later. He didn't run badly despite finishing in mid-division and this looks easier so he can return to winning ways. Get Back In Line looks a threat as he was highly tried after his Catterick maiden success, though he's been a beaten favourite on his last two starts. For Two, a hurdles winner in France, has been running in tougher races than this for Paul Nicholls though looks to have enough weight.
For Two (FR) 9-2fav (11-6) Held up in rear, headway when not fluent 2 out, soon no impression, stayed on flat, not able to get on terms, 6th of 13, 10l behind Franciscan (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f amt hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Apr.
Cinevator (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) With leaders, lost place 4 out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 17, well behind Return Spring (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Nov.
First Avenue 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on outside, led 6th until 3 out, jumped right and cannoned into 2 out, lost place last, 6th of 9, 16l behind Castlemorris King (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Angelot Du Berlais (FR) 10-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 8, 19l behind Yorkist (10-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy in Feb.
Get Back In Line (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) In rear, jumped left first, ridden 2 out, jumped left at last, never on terms, 5th of 7, 12l behind Gifted Leader (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Stiff Upper Lip (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th or 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 8l behind Dispour (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Fade To Grey (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Rider anticipated false start and pulled out of race as tapes rose, in a race won by Colebrooke (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf, 13 ran.
Balzaccio (FR) 11-8fav (11-0) Close 3rd, challenged 9th, blundered 15th, ridden 3 out, no impression on winner, 4th and well beaten from next, 4th of 5, 20l behind Flaming Gorge (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Quaddick Lake (IRE) 17-2 (11-9) Took keen hold and held up in last pair, driven and struggling 4th (normal 4 out), tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Vinnie My Boy (11-9) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Georgian King 33-1 (9-13) Disputed lead to 4 out, weakened from next, 10th of 17, 30l behind Billy Dutton (11-1) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Ainsi Fideles (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, rallied last, went 2nd flat, stayed on, unbale to trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Castlemorris King (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
My Lord 7-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, hampered 3rd, headway when not fluent next, not fluent and lost place 5th, well beaten from 3 out, 6th of 8, 38l behind Hi Tide (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
