not always fluent, chased leader, chased winner from 4 out, driven after 2 out, about 5 lengths 2nd and held when left in clear lead last
not always fluent, tracked leading pair, disputed 2nd from 9th, led and not fluent 4 out, about 5 lengths ahead and looked likely winner when fell last
jumped left, led, reminders 10th, headed before 4 out, weakened before next, left poor 3rd last, tailed off
held up, pushed long after 11th, went modest 3rd 3 out, left poor 2nd and mistake last
Life Of A Luso certainly doesn't like doing things the easy way and again had to be hard ridden to get on top of Simply Strong at Newton Abbot 11 days ago having just edged out DIAMOND ECLIPSE at the same track earlier this month. Nick Williams' five-year-old jumped well and travelled strongly that day but didn't find as much as expected off the bridle. However, he is 10lb better off here and should have his revenge. Spock is the potential fly in the ointment as he's lightly-raced and won over hurdles last summer. He's sure to have had plenty of schooling.
Spock (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, effort and every chance when blundered 2 out, switched left approaching last, ridden and one pace flat, 5th of 11, 19l behind Vincitore (11-1) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Life Of A Luso (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up, not fluent 1st or 7th, mistake 10th, headway next, went 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf beating Simply Strong (10-6) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Marc Aurele (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, under pressure 6th, slow 9th, soon behind, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by I'm The Decider (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf, 7 ran.
Diamond Eclipse (IRE) 11-2 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway when mistake 11th, wenrt 2nd 4 out, soon challenged, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on until headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Life Of A Luso (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf.
