led, headed 11th, driven to chase leaders soon after, under pressure when mistake and unseated rider 5 out
held up in last pair in touch, ridden 13th, weakening when hampered 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
raced wide, pressed leader, lost place 5 out, 9 lengths down in 4th before 2 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, no impression
tracked leaders, headway to lead 11th, driven and headed after 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost place and blundered last
held up in last pair in touch, headway on outside after 12th, went 2nd 5 out, led and in command after 3 out, ridden out flat
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced in 3rd after 3 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, no impression, lost 2nd near finish
Croan Rock ran in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham, though was pulled up. Ski Sunday wasn't beaten far at Chepstow last time but obviously isn't as good as he once was. KING FONTAINE won easily between the flags just under two weeks ago and was a decent performer under Rules in his day. That confidence-booster may have been required and he can beat stablemate Best Served Cold and consistent Wincanton runner-up How's My Friend to land this.
Best Served Cold 5-1 (12-0) Ap; led aft 13 til hdd 2 out; one pce, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Threapwood (12-3) at Flint & Denbigh 3m ptp gs in Mar.
Croan Rock (IRE) 100-1 (12-0) Prominent on outside, lost place 13th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Tammys Hill (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
How's My Friend 16-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, soon in rear, headway before 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on from last, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Coombe Hill (11-13) at Wincanton 3m 1f hts chs (6) gs.
Island Life (IRE) 100-1 (12-0) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, lost place from 6th, soon behind, 12th of 21, well behind Warne (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gd.
King Fontaine (IRE) 1-4 (12-0) Made all; unchall, won at Flint & Denbigh 3m ptp gs in Mar beating Bridlingtonbygones (12-0) by 20l, 3 ran.
Ski Sunday 3-1fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, mistake 6th, mistake 9th, went 4th at last, kept on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Vincitore (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
