4th or 5th until reached at 10th and unseated rider
led, not fluent 4 out, driven after 2 out, joined last, soon headed, stayed on but no impression on winner towards finish
4th or 5th, shaken up from 4th, hit and pecked 7th, jumped very moderately after, closed 8th, given reminders, struggling 10th, well behind before 3 out
tracked leader until 9th, driven after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, no impression on front pair when jumped right last
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway 12th, 2nd 3 out, challenged last, soon led, driven out
tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, 2nd 9th until 3 out, 4th and no extra before last
San Benedeto travelled strongly for a long way in a handicap at Newbury last month but didn’t find much in the closing stages and he’s giving weight here to less exposed novices. Different Gravey made a winning start over fences at Ascot but that form looks suspect and Nicky Henderson also runs Whisper, a Grade 1-winning hurdler who has scored twice here over the smaller obstacles. Sizing Tennessee only found one too good here last month but, like Zarib, would need more to win this. BARON ALCO jumped well over 2m here in October and ran out an easy winner subsequently over a longer trip at Plumpton. He looks a nice prospect and could be the one to be on in this.
San Benedeto (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 5 out, every chance last, kept on, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Roman Flight (11-4) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Baron Alco (FR) 4-7fav (11-2) Jumped well, tracked leader, dived at 4th, slight lead 9th, left well clear next, won at Plumpton 2m 4f (3) gd in Nov beating Coole Charmer (11-2) by dist, 4 ran.
Different Gravey (IRE) Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leader, challenged going well and hit 2 out, led approaching last, quickened clear run-in, eased close home, won at Ascot 2m 3f (3) gs in Nov beating Brother Tedd (11-2) by 6l, 4 ran.
Sizing Tennessee (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Hit 1st, close up on outside, left 2nd after 7th, upsides 10th, ridden and outpaced by front pair after 3 out, regained 2nd next, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 10l behind O O Seven (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Nov.
Whisper (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, ridden after next, never on terms, weakened before last, 8th of 12, dist behind Thistlecrack (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Zarib (IRE) 7-4 (11-1) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, pushed along before 2 out, soon lost 2nd place, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Forest Bihan (11-1) at Towcester 2m (3) gd in Nov.
