tracked leader, led 7 out, headed 6 out, weakened before 3 out
in touch and towards rear, headway 5 out to chase leaders, went 3rd from 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on and no impression
tracked leaders, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, headway 6 out, challenged 4 out, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd
tracked leaders, led 6 out, ridden before 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well
led to 7 out, weakened from 2 out
NonRunner
Crown Hill completed a double over fences early last year and his last four starts have been over hurdles. He has the scope to do better over the bigger obstacles though the concession of 8lb to NEWBERRY NEW may prove beyond him. Harriet Bethell's charge took advantage of a lower mark over fences to score convincingly at Uttoxeter and Richard Johnson is a very positive booking. Special Wells completed a double when winning this a year ago and though ending the campaign in poor form has to be respected but Granville Island hasn't won for a very long time though he should be capable of going well from his falling mark.
Special Wells 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, pushed along after 10th, every chance 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 5, 22 1/4l behind Lord Ballim (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Crown Hill (IRE) 10-1 (12-1) Held up in last pair, some headway and hit 4 out, plugged on into modest 4th at the last, 4th of 10, 12l behind Thomas Patrick (11-12) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Crest 16-1 (11-8) Pressed leader, lost place when reminders after 9th, behind and struggling from next, no danger after, 5th of 6, 26 1/2l behind Middlebrow (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Granville Island (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, jumped left and not fluent 9th, headway before 4 out, 4th and ridden from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 8, 12l behind Clan Legend (11-6) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Newberry New (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Always prominent, driven before 4 out, ridden to chase leader after next, switched inside between last 2, led after last, kept on well under pressure flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Glenforde (11-11) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Leanna Ban 10-1 (10-3) Led until 3 out, soon weakened, refused last, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Hargam (FR) 22-1 (11-3) Held up on outside, headway 8th, lost place when not fluent next, hampered 10th, behind next, mistake 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
