held up in last pair, hit 2nd, closer order approaching 4 out, tracking leaders before 2 out, switched right between last 2, led narrowly going to the last where left clear, ridden out
held up in rear, closer order approaching 4 out, tracked leaders on outside after 3 out, weakened 2 out, left modest 4th last
tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 3 out until pushed along 2 out, outpaced in 3rd between last 2, left disputing modest 2nd and hampered last, driven to outright 2nd post, no chance with winner
tracked leader, stumbled 4th, lost 2nd after 3 out, went 2nd again 2 out, led travelling well between last 2, narrowly headed but every chance when overjumped and fell heavily last
led, not fluent 1st, jumped slowly 3rd, ridden hung right and headed between last 2, soon dropped to 4th, left disputing 2nd and hampered at the last until dropped to 3rd post
chasing leaders and going ok when fell 3 out
Volnay De Thaix never came off the bridle in beating three ordinary rivals at Newbury last time but this is easily his toughest task to date. IRVING again showed a decent turn of foot to score here four weeks ago having made a winning start over hurdles at Taunton. He won on the soft on the level so the easier ground won't be a problem and Paul Nicholls' five-year-old can improve again to beat Huntingdon scorer Prince Siegfried and easy Aintree winner Splash of Ginge. Long Lunch's Plumpton success hasn't worked out but Massini's Trap has some decent form in Ireland and came up against Jezki at Down Royal on his latest start.
Irving 8-11fav (11-5) Tracked leading pair, challenged 3 out, led narowly before next, driven clear approaching last, ran on, well in command flat, readily, won at Ascot 2m hdl (3) gs in Nov beating A Hare Breath (11-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Massini's Trap (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, pushed along to go 4th approaching last, kept on same pace run-in without threatening, 4th of 5, 6l behind Jezki (11-10) at Down Royal 2m hdl G2 (1) in Nov.
Volnay De Thaix (FR) Evens6fav (11-8) Made all, clear after 3 out, went slightly left next, very easily, won at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating The Master Remover (11-0) by 7l, 4 ran.
Prince Siegfried (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge from 2 out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating My Wigwam Or Yours (10-12) by hd, 16 ran.
Splash of Ginge 3-1 (11-7) Made all, clear approaching 3 out, eased final 100 yards, won at Aintree 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft beating Gabrial The Great (11-7) by 20l, 7 ran.
Long Lunch 7-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear between last 2, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct beating Auld Sthock (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
