not always fluent, last pair, outpaced before 12th, weakened before 4 out, went right 3 out
led, mistake 9th, soon headed, led 12th, headed 2 out, led again last, headed towards finish
tracked leader, led after 9th, headed when not fluent 12th, led 2 out, went left and headed last, hung left flat, 3rd and beaten towards finish
last pair, in touch in 3rd before 4 out, outpaced 3 out, rider dropped rein briefly when closing after last, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won going away
NonRunner
Jaleo, last seen in a Grade 3 at Aintree, is a useful staying hurdler but so is Robin The Raven, who has won three of his five races over the smaller obstacles and promises to be even better over fences. THE EAGLEHASLANDED could also have a future in chases, however, and is from the stable that has won this for the last two years. A point-to-point winner in his younger days, he needed his reappearance at Newbury in February though wouldn’t want the ground to get any quicker. Deauville Crystal has rather lost her way lately.
Definately Vinnie 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, well beaten 2 out, 9th of 14, 15 1/2l behind Boss Mans Ladder (11-12) at Stratford 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Jaleo (GER) 40-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 9th of 20, 17 3/4l behind Mr Big Shot (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Robin The Raven (IRE) 13-8 (11-8) Made all, not fluent 7th, clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Ludlow 2m 5f (3) gs in Nov beating Crucial Role (11-4) by 8l, 8 ran.
Deauville Crystal (FR) 20-1 (11-13) Made most until 8th, chased leaders, wekaned under pressure after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
The Eaglehaslanded (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Pushed along and struggling before 3 out, always in rear, tailed off and pulled up soon after, at Newbury 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.