chased leaders, not fluent 1st, jumped slowly next, pushed along after not fluent 8th, outpaced before 3 out, rallied from 2 out, went 3rd before last, stayed on flat, unable to get on terms with front pair
chased leaders, mistake 1st, not fluent 3rd, lost place approaching 5th, jumped right and behind 8th, pulled up before 3 out
jumped right, held up, mistake 1st, in touch 6th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
led until 1st, pressed leader, led again 5th, driven and 4 lengths ahead after 2 out, pressed last, headed towards finish
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, hit 4 out, went 2nd before next until driven after 2 out, 4th and weakening when bad mistake last
led 1st until 5th, stayed close 2nd until before 3 out, went 2nd again after 2 out, closed on leader last, driven and stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish
Overturn had his spirit broken by Simonsig at Cheltenham and ended up well beaten. He is probably capable of bouncing back, especially on this better ground, but the eventual second in the Arkle, BAILY GREEN, can go one better here. Mouse Morris' charge has now been placed twice at this level and is clearly a smart novice with scope for further improvement. Alderwood won the Grand Annual but was well handicapped and seems to reserve his best for Cheltenham while Sire De Grugy probably faces his stiffest task to date over fences, though his second to Captain Conan at Cheltenham in November was boosted by the winner here on Thursday. The remainder appear to have a lot find off level weights.
Alderwood (IRE) 3-1fav (10-11) Mid-division on inside, headway 11th, went 2nd after 2 out (usual 3 out), soon challenged, led narrowly approaching bypassed last, asserted clear towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Mar beating Kid Cassidy (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 23 ran.
Baily Green (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Not fluent 2nd, held up in 4th, tracked leading pair 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, 2 lengths down last, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Simonsig (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) sft in Mar.
Marshal Zhukov (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Mistake 1st, mid-division when brought down 4th, in a race won by Alderwood (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Mar, 23 ran.
Overturn (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Led, joined when blundered 3 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened next, 4th of 7, 31l behind Simonsig (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) sft in Mar.
Sire De Grugy (FR) 4-6fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead when mistake 3 out, shaken up between last 2, driven out flat, kept on, won at Lingfield 2m nov chs (4) hvy in Nov beating Cantlow (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Special Tiara 10-1 (11-9) Led, joined after 2 out and headed entering straight, dropped to rear last and soon no extra, 5th of 6, 26l behind Savello (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs gs in Mar.
Viva Colonia (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, slightly hampered 6th, headway approaching 4 out, staying on flat but no impression on leaders when short of room last strides, 5th of 17, 9l behind Oiseau de Nuit (11-8) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd.
