made most, cantered clear on bit from 2 out, effortless
disputed lead, driven approaching 2 out, soon no chance with easy winner, weakened to 4th last
tracked leading pair, driven and outpaced when switched right towards stands side rail after 3 out, 3 length down in 3rd when blundered next, went 2nd briefly last, no chance with easy winner
held up 4th and last, driven after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd after last, no chance with winner
BIG BUCK'S is hardly an original selection but the nine-year-old is simply impossible to oppose as he bids to extend an unbeaten run that stretches back 17 races and almost four years. Five Dream has had a rear view of his stable companion on numerous occasions while Fox Appeal is taking a huge step up in class after winning a Kempton handicap, though does have a bit of scope. Reve De Sivola is a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles but it's almost a year since he was last on the racecourse and is better known as a chaser nowadays. How he will cope with a switch back to the smaller obstacles after a lay-off is anybody's guess.
Big Buck's (FR) 2-9fav (11-7) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 4 out, led next, pushed clear from 2 out, unchallenged, won at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Apr beating Crack Away Jack (11-7) by 9l, 8 ran.
Five Dream (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Held up tracking leading trio, went 3rd at 8th, pushed along before 3 out, driven before 2 out, stayed on same pace between last 2, never able to challenge, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Stars Du Granits (10-1) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden to lead last, ran on, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov beating Medinas (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 11-4fav (10-4) Chased leaders, effort when hampered and left in 3rd at 2nd last, stayed on well, never able to challenge, 3rd of 12, 7l behind The Minack (11-1) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) sft in Dec '11.
