led, not fluent 7th, headed 3 out, in 3rd before last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, tailed off 18th
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, one pace and no impression
with leader, ridden before last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, pushed along 3 out, kept on same pace and no impression
in rear, reminders 4th, detached when veered after jumping 15th, pulled up before next
held up in touch, weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on and held near finish
prominent, led 3 out, ridden before last and not fluent, held on near finish
in rear, tailed from 16th
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, challenged and blundered badly 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden from 2 out, soon weakened
Buachaill Alainn is 12lb higher than when landing this 12 months ago and this year's renewal looks a lot more competitive than usual. Sue Smith's pair, Delusionofgrandeur and Smooth Stepper, look closely matched but the handicapper may have reeled in Optimistic Bias. Mister Don usually finds at least one too good but has place claims again along with Carrigdhoun, who rallied at Carlisle last week though was earlier behind Boric at the same track. Washed Ashore still has some scope while Becky Smith gets on well with Camillas Wish, though she's rocketed up the weights. Richard Newland won this in 2014 and 2015 and AUDACIOUS PLAN (NAP) can enhance the yard's record. Second off this mark in a valuable staying handicap for Rebecca Curtis at Punchestown in 2015, his new trainer looks to have coaxed him back to his best judged on an effortless recent victory over hurdles.
Delusionofgrandeur (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Close up, led before 10th, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 7, 12 1/4l behind Ballotin (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Smooth Stepper 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 11 3/4l behind Lough Salt (10-5) at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Buachaill Alainn (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Towards rear, last 4th, pushed along when slow 8th, not fluent 11th, behind from next, 5th of 8, 33 1/4l behind Belmount (11-0) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Russian Regent (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Prominent in chasing group, weakened before 4 out, 7th of 8, 28 3/4l behind Creevytennant (11-10) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Optimistic Bias (IRE) 7-1fav (10-4) Always towards rear, 16th of 20, dist behind Tempestatefloresco (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Carrigdhoun (IRE) 17-2 (11-13) Prominent, lost place 14th, ridden 3 out, headway approaching last, kept on flat, 4th of 10, 17l behind Courtown Oscar (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Rock Of Leon 7-2 (11-9) Held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, pulled up, at Leicester 2m 4f (5) gs in Jan.
Grove Silver (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Led, headed after 4 out, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd after next, weakened from last, 5th of 10, 16 1/2l behind Jovial Joey (11-8) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Boric 16-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, went 2nd before 4 out, led before 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on and caught post, 2nd of 9, shd behind Vic De Touzaine (11-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Audacious Plan (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders and always going well, 2nd after 3 out, led before 2 out, clear approaching last, kept on strongly, eased close home, won at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Ilewindelilah (10-0) by 12l, 8 ran.
Camillas Wish (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) In rear, pecked 4 out (water), soon behind, stayed on from last bend, no chance, 5th of 7, 18 3/4l behind Fact Of The Matter (10-12) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Washed Ashore (IRE) 10-3 (12-6) Tracked leaders, 2nd 4th until 7th, hit 8th, led before 4 out, headed next, no impression flat, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Cuirassier Dempire (11-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Mister Don (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Prominent, outpaced in modest 4th 4 out, soon ridden, chased clear pair next, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with eased down winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Sporting Boy (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
