held up in touch, tracked leaders 9th, led 5 out, driven clear from next, ridden before last, tired when eased flat, comfortably
in touch, lost place 5th, chased leader 11th to 5 out, ridden and regained 2nd after next, no chance with winner after, lost 2nd near finish
tracked leaders on inside, mistake and reminders after 8th, lost place 11th, behind when blundered 13th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch on outside, mistake 2nd, lost place 14th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led narrowly to 9th, in touch, outpaced 14th, went modest 3rd after 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
prominent, disputed lead 9th, blundered next, soon led, mistake and headed 5 out, weakened 3 out
with leader, led 9th, headed after next, blundered 11th, soon lost place, struggling next, stayed on to take 4th after last, no chance with leaders
held up in touch, headway and prominent on outside 14th, outpaced before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
Hey Big Spender has won this twice in the last three years and meets last year's runner-up, Vintage Star, on identical terms. He'll be all the better for his comeback third to Lie Forrit at Aintree and is 5lb better off here. Victors Serenade is useful when his mind is on the job and he impressed when beating Monbeg Dude at Chepstow while Fentara is a tough mare who stays well. BROADWAY BUFFALO (NAP) is still a maiden over fences but is gradually getting his act together and is well treated on his form over hurdles. He'd have gone close at Cheltenham last time, when Mister Grez was behind, had he not hit the second-last and, sporting blinkers here, can open his account with Kieron Edgar's claim a plus.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden, 3rd and one pace flat, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Lie Forrit (10-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcap ch (2) gd in Oct.
Vintage Star (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Led, headed after 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Shutthefrontdoor (11-10) at Carlisle 3m grad ch (2) sft.
Indian Castle (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, not much room and lost place 2 out, 11th of 18, 22l behind Caid Du Berlais (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft.
Victors Serenade (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, closed 10th, went 2nd when not fluent 5 out, led 2 out, edged left flat, stayed on, won at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Oct beating Monbeg Dude (11-7) by 2l, 15 ran.
Fentara 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Isla Pearl Fisher (10-13) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs.
Lie Forrit (IRE) 15-8fav (10-8) With leader, led before 3rd, headed 4th, led again from 6th, edged right close home, held on, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcap ch (2) gd in Oct beating Pigeon Island (9-4) by nk, 5 ran.
Broadway Buffalo (IRE) 10-3fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, hampered 15th, smooth headway next, tracked leaders 4 out, went 2nd next, upsides when not fluent 2 out, every chance last, ridden and no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Charingworth (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f am hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft.
Tutchec (FR) 9-1 (11-11) Disputed lead until ridden 4 out, weakened last, 8th of 11, 23l behind Ballyoliver (11-8) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Mister Grez (FR) 15-2 (10-5) Mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, outpaced in 4th next, kept on same pace, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 19l behind Charingworth (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f am hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft.
