took keen hold, led 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, pressed from 2 out, stayed on well, in command final 100 yards (no time taken)
led until 2nd, tracked winner, mistake 5 out, soon switched right, jumped left thereafter, challenged 2 out, stayed on, no impression final 100 yards
reluctant to race and lost over 30 lengths start, behind, bad mistake 5th, mistakes 7th and 9th, went remote 4th from 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, hit 7th and pecked, bad mistake next, ridden after 13th, weakening when hit 5 out, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leaders, stayed on same pace from 3 out, no impression on front pair last
MARINGO BAY has always looked the type to prove better over fences than hurdles and is certain to improve for his third at Plumpton, where he ran well for a long way. Charlie Mann's charge can get the better of Alfie Spinner even though the latter looks sure to be winning over the larger obstacles soon having been highly tried to date. Brackloon High also adds to the interest as he was very green over fences for the first time at Fontwell, though the winner did nothing for the form next time. The others have a bit to prove in this grade.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leader until 14th, weakened next, last of 4, 18l behind Grands Crus (11-9) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grade 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Maringo Bay (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 6th, headed before 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Invictus (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft.
Rif (FR) 6-1 (11-11) Refused to race, in a race won by Picture In The Sky (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs, 7 ran.
Stay Connected (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened before 4 out, 10th of 14, 47l behind Trip The Light (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Will Scarlet (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 2nd, led narrowly next until approaching 5th (water), lost 2nd approaching 8th, soon outpaced, plodded on, tailed off when left poor 4th last, 4th of 6, 46l behind Walkon (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) gs.
Brackloon High (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place and reminder after 5 out, left 4th 3 out, ridden to go 2nd between last 2, 10 lengths down when mistake last, rallied and closed on winner flat, held near finish, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Real Treasure (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft.
