settled last, jumped left 8th and 9th, still in rear when jumped left and mistake 18th, headway into third bypassing omitted 3 out, under pressure soon after and mistake 2 out, weakened and lost two places run-in
tracked leaders, in third when slight mistake 3 out (usual 4 out) but went 2nd soon after, led 2 out but headed before last, ran on but just held
held up in touch, mistake 16th, pushed along and dropped to rear, lost touch and weakened
always prominent, led 11th, pushed along bypassing usual 3 out, headed soon after, rallied to regain lead before last, wandered on run-in but stayed on gamely
prominent, in second when mistake 16th, pushed along soon after, stayed on same pace
held up in touch, slow 16th, under pressure 18th, weakened after 3 out (usual 4 out) and pulled up last
disputed lead, chased leader 16th, pushed along after 3 out (usual 4 out), jumped last in fourth but ran on to take third close home
This race was voided last year when the runners mistakenly by-passed a fence but Doing Fine was first past the post. Classic Ben started favourite but fell while Shanroe Santos, fourth in 2018, was pulled up. Crosspark won the Eider in 2019 so stamina isn’t an issue and he’s run well in both starts this season but joint top weight CLOUDY GLEN (NAP) is the one with most scope in this. He’s had problems with his jumping in the past but looked a reformed character upped in trip at Fontwell on his reappearance, though has been hit with an 11lb hike in the ratings.
Cloudy Glen (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Raced in last, hampered at 4th, 4th 3 out, headway to press leaders before 2 out, led before last, pulled clear on run-in, easily, won at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Christmas In April (11-12) by 13l, 7 ran.
Crosspark 11-2 (11-7) Mid-division, niggled along 3 out, ridden 2 out, made challenge when not fluent last, kept on strongly run-in but always held by game winner, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Step Back (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Pobbles Bay (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Towards rear, mistake when unseated rider 11th, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Doing Fine (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Pressed leader early, disputed lead throughout, headed after 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner, lost 2nd in final strides, 3rd of 7, 13 1/4l behind Cloudy Glen (11-9) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Classic Ben (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led until after 3rd, prominent, ridden in 4th final bend, stayed on and went 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 18, 6 1/2l behind Jersey Bean (11-7) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Shanroe Santos (IRE) 10-3 (12-4) In rear when mistake 1st, ridden and outpaced 4 out, headway 2 out, driven and stayed on to go 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 10 3/4l behind The Fresh Prince (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Regal Flow 50-1 (10-5) Chased leader, pushed along before 3 out, struggling approaching 2 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 10, 17 1/4l behind Step Back (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
