held up in rear and keen, hit 4 out, headway next, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed final 150 yards, no extra
tracked leader and keen, hit 8th, joined leader 4 out, led next, hit and headed 2 out, ridden approaching last, rallied run-in, led final 150 yards, driven out
tracked leaders and keen, challenged 3 out, in 3rd and held when mistake and unseated rider last
led, hit 9th, joined from 4 out, headed 3 out, soon weakened, left remote 4th last
tracked leaders, in rear when mistake 9th, not fluent next, hit 4 out, headway next, weakened 2 out, left poor 3rd last
This is a race that traditionally brought about a few horses to follow but for today, we are with HEY BIG SPENDER. Colin Tizzard's gelding does have a couple of pounds to find with his rivals but he won well at Cheltenham in January so there are grounds for optimism with regard to staying this extended three miles. Big Fella Thanks makes his debut for Ferdy Murphy. Scheduled to take his chance in the Hennessy at Newbury - this engagement is likely to be used as a prep run and he will improve upon whatever he shows today. Prince de Beauchene looks a thorough mudlark though he would have been better off were this race a handicap. Massasoit was unsighted in the four miler at Cheltenham though seems to exhibit his best work when the fields, are as today, small.
Big Fella Thanks 10-1fav (10-12) In touch on inside, headway to go 3rd 24th (canal turn), driven to challenge 2 out, soon ridden and every chance, one pace and lost 3rd flat, 4th of 40, 28l behind Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, fell 6th, in a race won by Mad Max (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Apr, 6 ran.
Prince De Beauchene (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, went 2nd after 11th, challenged 3 out, led next, stayed on well flat, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy in Apr beating Salut Flo (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Hunters Ploy (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up behind leaders, not fluent 12th, clear 3rd after next, closed to lead 4 out, jumped right final 3, clear 2 out, stayed on, won at Exeter 3m beg chs (3) gd in Oct '09 beating Plane Painter (11-4) by 25l, 4 ran.
Massasoit (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division, outpaced when mistake 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 18, 48l behind Poker De Sivola (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m am nov chs (2) gd in Mar.
