took keen hold, jumped boldly, soon with leader, led 6th, clear from 3 out, easily
close up in 3rd, not fluent 4th, 5th or 9th, mistake and ridden 12th, one pace after 4 out
jumped slightly left at times, led unti 6th, not fluent 9th, ridden after 4 out, one pace next
Gentleman Anshan and Crannaghmore Boy are both previous C&D winners and the former hinted at a revival when a close third at Stratford nine days ago. They should be in the firing-line but Soir D'Estruval is struggling to make an impact over fences and looks harshly treated in his first appearance in a handicap. SPANISH CRUISE failed to complete in a couple of starts over the larger obstacles last year but this is a less competitive affair and he did go close twice over hurdles in December. Possibly well handicapped, we'll take a chance that confidence has been restored and give him the vote here.
Gentleman Anshan (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 10th to track leaders, led 4 out, headed before last, kept on, lost 2nd place near finish, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Mylord Collonges (10-6) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Spanish Cruise (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Made most, ridden and headed before 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 9, 27l behind Balerina (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Crannaghmore Boy (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed before slow 8th, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Victors Serenade (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
Soir D'estruval (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 7th, weakened after 12th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Railway Dillon (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
