led, joined 4th, headed 6th, remained prominent, led again last, hung right closing stages, ran on
in touch, joined leader 4th, led 6th, headed 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, took closer order 4 out, effort after next, stayed on same pace from 2 out
in touch, headway 3 out, weakened next
prominent, lost place 3rd, rallied 4 out, led 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace closing stages
in touch, pushed along after 4th, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, every chance last, no extra towards finish
Conditions will make this a test for these veteran chasers. Allthegear No Idea has won on heavy ground here over hurdles but he’s not scored over fences, though is much less exposed than most. CROOKSTOWN has been on the go for a while but did win in this grade at Haydock in May. He’s still 4lb higher but none of his rivals are in particularly good form. Persian Snow did win both starts last season but hasn’t raced since March and Grand Vision has a similar absence to overcome. Vino Griego was tailed off when reappearing in one of these at Sandown.
Grand Vision (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, tailed off, 14th of 23, dist behind Pacha Du Polder (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gd in Mar.
Persian Snow (IRE) 1-2fav (12-2) Tracked leader, not fluent 5th, led 3 out, strongly challenged from before last, all out, just held on, won at Ludlow 2m 4f (5) sft in Mar beating Colbert Station (11-12) by nk, 8 ran.
Vino Griego (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, close up after 11th, struggling 14th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Houblon Des Obeaux (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Crookstown (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Close up, chased winner 3 out until hit last, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Mr Snoozy (12-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Cloudy Beach (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, driven 9th, slow next, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 11, 15 1/2l behind Siruh Du Lac (10-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Allthegear No Idea (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, hit 8th, driven and outpaced by front pair approaching 3 out, ridden after next, kept on until no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Always Lion (11-8) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Wings Of Smoke (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Not much room when not fluent 1st, held up towards rear, not fluent next, blundered 9th and 12th, well beaten 4 out, last of 9, dist behind Enjoy Responsibly (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
