tracked leaders, left in 2nd place 3 out, every chance when not fluent last, kept on run-in, always held
led until 8th (water), with leader, led again 10th, joined 3 out and again last, driven and stayed on well run-in
tracked winner, mistake 1st, not fluent 3rd, led 8th (water) until 10th, pressed winner, every chance when knuckled on landing and fell 3 out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, hit 4th, outpaced before 14th, rallied next, no impression when left modest 3rd 3 out, hit next
never that fluent, held up last, mistake 13th, weakened 4 out, left modest 4th next
Any fears over soft ground concerning BLACK CORTON were dispelled at Cheltenham, where he stayed on too strongly for a couple of well-regarded novices. His winning run will come to an end at some time but he gets on so well with Bryony Frost that the partnership is worth sticking with for now. Fountains Windfall, a progressive staying hurdler in the spring, made a winning start over fences at Southwell and should handle the step up in grade. Sir Ivan has won his last two but this is his toughest task to date while Wait For Me’s jumping remains a concern and he’s never won over a trip this far. Elegant Escape looks held by the selection on collateral form.
Black Corton (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, challenged after 4 out, not fluent next, led before 2 out, 1 length advantage last, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m (2) sft in Nov beating Ballyoptic (11-8) by 4l, 3 ran.
Elegant Escape (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Tracked front pair, went 2nd after 9th, virtually upsides 11th, effort when hit 3 out, soon outpaced, no chance with winner before next, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Ballyoptic (11-1) at Exeter 3m (2) sft in Nov.
Fountains Windfall 13-8 (11-1) Left in lead 1st and made rest, mistake 2nd, joined after 5 out, driven when challenged 3 out, ran on strongly, won at Southwell 2m 4f (3) gd in Nov beating Stowaway Magic (11-1) by 11l, 5 ran.
Sir Ivan 4-1 (11-8) Mid-division, tracked leaders 6th, went 2nd 4 out, led between last 2, ridden out flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Oct beating Robin Of Locksley (11-3) by 2l, 11 ran.
Wait For Me (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Held up in rear, steady headway approaching 11th, upsides and challenging for lead when fell heavily 4 out, at Chepstow 3m (3) gs in Oct.
