held up in rear, hit 2nd, badly hampered next, headway 5th, pushed along after 9th, hit 2 out, chased winner last, stayed on
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 7th, jumped right and not fluent 9th, led 3 out, jumped right 2 out, clear when jumped right and hit last, driven out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd after 3rd until approaching 7th, no impression from 9th, went 4th flat
tracked leader until after 3rd, last from next, behind 6th
led, jumped right 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra flat
held up in rear, pulled hard, hit 2nd, headway next, steadied 6th, went 3rd 4 out, hit 2 out, weakened last
Pepe Simo will inevitably be popular but whilst undeniably talented, the Nicholls gelding has yet to thoroughly convince with his fencing technique and faces some really battle-hardened sorts here. SAFARI JOURNEY has had a pretty light campaign to date and should be spot-on after a solid effort last time in a highly competitive Grade 3 chase at the Grand National meeting. His success in Listed company at Ascot last autumn certainly sets the standard. Cruchain has enjoyed a fruitful campaign and his latest success over Riguez Dancer at Cheltenham affords his a solid chance despite a 7lb hike in the ratings.
Safari Journey (USA) 10-1 (10-1) In touch, jumped slowly 3rd, hit 6th and 8th, chased winner after 4 out until 2 out, soon beaten, no extra last, 6th of 13, 15l behind Silk Drum (9-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Pepe Simo (IRE) 1-5fav (11-4) Led until 2nd, not fluent 3rd, led after 5th, not fluent 4 out, clear when not fluent 2 out, easily, won at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gd beating Courella (11-8) by 13l, 3 ran.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 12-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, blundered 5th, weakened from 5 out, 9th of 11, 28l behind Elite Land (10-9) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.
Frosted Grape (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led, headed when hit 4 out, soon lost place, weakened from next, 9th of 16, 47l behind Full Of Joy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Cruchain (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Pressed leader, led 2nd, narrowly headed last, rallied to lead soon after, stayed on gamely, won at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp chs (0-135) (3) gd beating Riguez Dancer (11-1) by nk, 9 ran.
Mibleu (FR) 11-4 (11-5) Took keen hold, prominent, led after 3rd, jumped right 5th, headed after 8th, left in lead next, headed approaching 3 out, beaten next, held on for 2nd, 2nd of 5, 15l behind Courella (11-3) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf.
