tracked leaders, not fluent and reminder 12th, ridden after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
in rear, not fluent 3rd (water), not fluent and jumped left 5th, reminder next, behind 7th, mistake 9th, pulled up before 12th
made all, ridden 2 out, edged left flat, stayed on well
tracked leaders, hit 10th, mistake 13th, jumped slowly and outpaced next, weakened before 3 out
tracked winner, ridden before 4 out, edged left approaching last, switched right flat, no impression final 75 yards, eased close home
held up in 5th, behind 11th, pulled up before 3 out
held up in 6th, jumped left at times, not fluent 2nd, reminders from 4th, lost touch 10th, pulled up before 12th
Kris Cross has won twice here over hurdles and is an interesting newcomer to fences. Streams Of Whiskey may also do better now tackling the bigger obstacles and Imperial Vic developed into a decent staying hurdler last season and has already won a point-to-point. He could be the biggest threat to SIVOLA DE SIVOLA, who was taken to task by the handicapper over hurdles last term but still managed good runs at Cheltenham and Haydock and may just have a bit too much class for his rivals here. Fiddlers Reel won a novices' handicap over track and trip last time but this is much tougher.
Fiddlers Reel 3-1fav (10-5) Held up towards rear, tracked leaders on outer before 7th, led before 4 out, pressed from 3 out, held on well towards finish, won at Perth 3m nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Apr beating Wild Geese (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Heart O' The West (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Candleford (11-2) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd, 12 ran.
Imperial Vic (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Led, blundered and headed 4 out, soon lost place, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 4, 22l behind Utopie Des Bordes (10-13) at Perth 3m nov hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Kris Cross (IRE) 9-2fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to lead flat, all out, won at Perth 3m 3f con hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr beating Sun Cloud (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Sivola De Sivola (FR) 6-1fav (11-0) Towards rear, mistake and ridden 4th, never travelled after and never involved, 8th of 18, 36l behind Master Of The Sea (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Feb.
Streams Of Whiskey (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, lost place 7th, soon behind, no danger after, 10th of 13, 25l behind Wolf Shield (11-7) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
St Gregory (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, well behind Get Back In Line (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Feb.
