raced wide early, tracked leaders, 3rd from 7th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out and dropped to 3rd, no extra between last two
tracked leading pair until 7th, dropped to rear next, fell heavily 9th
took keen hold, left in lead 1st, headed before 6th, chased leader, led again 4 out until hit 3 out and dropped to 3rd, rallied to chase winner 2 out, ridden and chance last, no extra flat
hampered 1st, chased leader, led before 6th, headed 4 out, chased leaders, ridden to lead again 2 out, driven before last, stayed on well flat
blundered ansd unseated rider 1st
held up last, headway into 4th approaching 8th, outpaced before 2 out, kept on flat
Bellenos has been a bit disappointing in two runs here this season and has ground to make up on Ulck Du Lin. Paul Nicholls' charge won this in 2012 but, along with Bellenos, was beaten a long way behind Croco Bay over course and distance last time when LANCETTO finished second. Evan Williams' gelding won this last year off a 4lb lower mark and must have every chance of staging an encore, though Malibu Sun has been in terrific form at a lower level and deserves a crack at a decent prize. Key To The West revels in the mud and skated up at Uttoxeter last time and he's preferred to Last Shot and the returning Ballygarvey of the others.
Bellenos (FR) 9-2fav (10-13) Always in rear, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Croco Bay (10-8) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Lancetto (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, only 9th and plenty to do 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, disputing 4th and went left 2 out, went 2nd at the last, never any chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 10, 19l behind Croco Bay (10-8) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Ulck Du Lin (FR) 5-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, weakened before next, 8th of 10, 46l behind Croco Bay (10-8) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Ballygarvey (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, effort approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, just held for 3rd near finish, no impression, 4th of 17, 6l behind Anay Turge (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov '13.
Malibu Sun 9-2 (11-9) Led after 2nd, clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Pearls Legend (11-10) by 7l, 10 ran.
Last Shot (FR) 9-4fav (11-3) Led until before 1st, pressed winner, ridden after 9th, every chance 4 out, badly hampered next, soon no impression on front pair, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Arkaim (11-1) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Key To The West (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Made all, jumped slightly right at times, clear before last, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft beating Keel Haul (11-8) by 9l, 5 ran.
