tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8th, hit 13th, challenged 3 out, led going well approaching 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, easily
led, joined 3 out, driven and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace in clear 2nd, no chance with winner
tracked leader, jumped slowly and dropped to rear 8th, struggling 11th, tailed off when left 3rd 3 out
held up 4th and last in touch, tracked leading pair 8th, 2 lengths down in 3rd and going well when fell 3 out
SOLIX was far from foot-perfect when beating the more experienced Duke Of Lucca at Ascot and will have to treat these fences with more respect. He has obvious scope, however, and is fancied to defy his penalty with a question also hanging over likely market rival Sam Winner, who took a heavy fall at the last at Exeter on his fencing bow having been gifted a winning opportunity. Sybarite had no chance against Grands Crus here last time and shapes as though he'll better when stepped up to 3m while Tricky Tree was well beaten at Wetherby last month.
Solix (FR) 4-5fav (11-1) Tracked leaders and mistakes, led 12th, headed 3 out, regained lead 2 out, clear when jumped left last, stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 2m 5f beg chs (3) gd in Nov beating Duke Of Lucca (11-1) by 12l, 4 ran.
Sybarite (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Held up, slightly hampered 9th, soon ridden, outpaced by leaders from 4 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 20l behind Grands Crus (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gd in Nov.
Tricky Tree (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway to 4th before 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, blundered when held 2 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 7, 30l behind Fists Of Fury (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (5) gs in Nov.
Sam Winner (FR) 6-4 (10-7) Jumped left, led until after 4th, ridden approaching 4 out, 6 lengths off leader when left in lead 2 out, 3 lengths clear when fell last, in a race won by Shammick Boy (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Nov, 3 ran.
