with leader, led 3rd to after 7th, in touch, led again 11th, headed 4 out, weakened before last
not fluent, reminders after 7th, switched outside next, outpaced when hampered 5 out, headway under pressure next, ridden after 3 out, went 4th approaching last, never on terms
tracked leaders, driven 4 out, ridden and one pace after next, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no impression with winner
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place after 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up behind, steady headway on inside after 5 out, soon tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, shaken up to lead approaching last, soon clear, driven out
led to 3rd, pressed leader, led again after 7th, headed 11th, ridden to regain lead 4 out, headed approaching last, no chance with winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, outpaced after 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out
held up behind, driven and one pace 3 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, in touch when fell 5 out
Hainan was allowed an easy lead over 3m here last month and never saw another rival. But the handicapper took exception to that effort and raised him 15lb. Red Spinner was just beaten at Newbury in November but is still 8lb higher than when last successful. Doctor Phoenix was second in the Castleford Chase here on Boxing Day but he seems to be better over 2m. Oldgrangewood and WEST WIZARD are both progressive novices but the latter is possibly the pick of the weights today and has his ground again. He is taken to follow up his Ffos Las victory, despite an 8lb rise. Somchine has been a good servant for connections but has only every won for the currently injured Andrew Thornton.
Red Spinner (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led, ridden from 2 out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Roman Flight (11-4) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on to take 2nd run-in, held near finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Yorkist (10-4) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Dresden (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, no impression before last, 9th of 13, 24l behind Kapstadt (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Dysios (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Soon raced in poor 9th, slightly slow 7th, no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 8th of 13, dist behind Ball D'arc (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Oldgrangewood 11-4 (11-1) In touch, in 4th, headway 8th, challenged 4 out, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, kept on towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating The Dutchman (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Hainan (FR) 7-2jfav (10-5) Made all, soon clear, unchallenged, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Crosspark (11-5) by 9l, 7 ran.
Somchine 5-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 5 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Dusky Lark (12-3) by 5l, 5 ran.
West Wizard (FR) 2-1fav (11-13) Behind, headway before 9th, led 4 out, kept on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Bramble Brook (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Atirelarigo (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, fell 2nd, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
