made all, not fluent 3rd (water), went left 2 out, clear when not fluent last, comfortably
held up in 5th, not fluent 4th, pushed along when left 4th before 3 out, went left and not fluent 2 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 4th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, went 2nd next, stayed on, no impression on winner
tracked winner until 3 out, hit 2 out, no extra when not fluent last
held up in rear, shaken up after 3 out, never in contention
Considering A P McCoy was trying to cope with a slipping saddle here last month, COLOUR SQUADRON did really well to get within six lengths of Module on his chasing bow. His jumping improved as the race developed that day and he's fancied to get off the mark in this ahead of Haydock runner-up Ohio Gold, who was also useful over hurdles but may need another half-mile. Open Hearted makes his seasonal reappearance but is unlikely to fail through lack of fitness and could turn into a decent novice while Paul Nicholls' new arrival Fago has already won over fences at Auteuil and has been taking on decent opposition in his last two starts. James De Vassy has had his problems lately, however, and may need this.
Fago (FR) 14-1 (10-7) 2nd of 13, 6l behind Utopie Des Bordes (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 6f 4yo chs Grd 1 (1) hvy in Nov.
Colour Squadron (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Prominent when blundered and steaded rear after 1st and took keen hold, headway to 4th approaching 9th, saddle slipped soon after, went 3rd 3 out, stayed on to 2nd approaching last, rider unable to ride out fully and eased when held in closing stages, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Module (11-0) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.
James de Vassy (FR) 12-1 (10-10) 9th of 10, 17l behind Tanais Du Chenet (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f Listed hdl sft in Apr.
Ohio Gold (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, every chance when jumped left next, no extra last, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Majala (11-3) at Haydock 2m nov chs (2) hvy in Dec.
Open Hearted 9-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden before 3 out, soon lost place, well beaten 2 out, 14th of 24, 29l behind Attaglance (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Hurdle (0-145) (4yo+) (2) gd in Mar.
Petie Mcsweetie (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) In rear, ridden and headway 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, 4th of 11, 17l behind Me Fein (10-1) at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Prolinx (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Hampered 3rd, always in rear, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Puffin Billy (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Nov.
