mostly jumped well, led, clear from 2nd, mistake 2 out, allowed to run down the last, kept on strongly, unchallenged
chased leading pair until 5th, awkward 5 out, 2nd 4 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, never able to challenge
tracked winner, hit 1st, pushed along and lost 2nd 4 out, weakened next
held up 4th, went 3rd 5th, pecked 7th, awkward 5 out, no impression 3 out, went left next
GINO TRAIL is the class act in this and can dominate this small field on ground that suits. He wasn’t quite good enough in a Grade 2 at Exeter on his reappearance but ran well for a long way and will strip fitter today. Never Up is an improving young chaser but won’t get his own way up front and has been found out in this grade in the past. Casual Cavalier could be the one to profit if the established front-runners take each other on but hasn’t raced since March. Pain Au Chocolat looked in need of the run at Aintree and may need another outing before hitting peak form.
Gino Trail (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Led to 2nd, with leader, led again 4th, ridden and headed before 4 out, soon no chance with front pair, plugged on when strongly pressed for modest 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 27 1/4l behind Politologue (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Pain Au Chocolat (FR) 16-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, jumped left 7th, not fluent next, lost place before 4 out, well beaten 3 out, last of 8, 34 1/2l behind Baby King (11-4) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Never Up (GER) 5-1 (11-7) Made all, 3 lengths clear 3 out, ridden approaching last, driven out flat, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Oct beating Calivigny (11-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
Casual Cavalier (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out, mistake last, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in, 3rd of 5, 20l behind Forest Des Aigles (11-5) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
