led until 2nd, stayed prominent, led again before 7th, headed after 4 out, weakened before next, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, not always fluent, not much room on inside bend after 5th, closed before 3 out, soon outpaced, 7th last, stayed on flat, went 4th close home
held up towards rear on outside, ridden and struggling after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, 4th and beaten when reached at last, one pace flat
held up in rear, blundered 6th, headway travelling well before 3 out, switched right before next, 3rd last, stayed on, went 2nd inside final 150 yards, unable to trouble winner
mid-division on inside, headway before 3 out, soon chasing leaders, one pace and beaten before last, weakened flat
mid-division, headway 5th, chasing leaders 3 out, one pace and beaten before last, weakened flat
chased leaders, settled into mid-division before 2nd, closed from 7th, pushed along briefly after 4 out, 2nd 2 out, led before last, ridden clear inside final 200 yards, in no danger after, stayed on well
prominent, weakened quickly after 4 out, pulled up before next
prominent, led 2nd, not fluent 6th, headed before 7th, lost 2nd from 3 out, 9th and weakening when mistake 2 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders on inside, led after 4 out, headed before last, no impression on winner and stayed on same pace flat, lost 2nd inside final 150 yards
chased leaders, lost place 5th, ridden and struggling after 4 out, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before last
held up in rear, blundered 7th and 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, 8th last, switched right flat, stayed on, never threatened
Many of these are dipping a first hoof into pattern race company having proved prolific in less-exalted novice events but Messire Des Obeaux is an exception. He won the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle in December and was a close-up third in the Neptune Investment at Cheltenham, though has been on the go for a while. FINIAN’S OSCAR was forced to miss Cheltenham after suffering a minor setback but he looks the one to beat in this if back fighting fit. Colin Tizzard’s unbeaten five-year-old won the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in January and holds promising maiden Captain Forez and Lough Derg Spirit on collateral form. La Bague Au Roi found the company too hot in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham and now has a bit to prove but Brio Conti and Le Breuil have both been making strides lately, though whether they are at the level required for this just yet will be revealed today.
Bel Ami De Sivola (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, a little keen, soon raced in 4th, pushed along approaching 2 out, soon dropped to last and no extra, 5th of 6, dist behind Death Duty (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Benatar (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway on inside and went prominent in chasing group 3rd, tracked leading pair 5th, 2nd going well 3 out, every chance when hung left next, ridden and no extra before the last, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Le Breuil (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Mar.
Bordeaux Bill (IRE) 8-13fav (11-9) Tracked leader from 2nd, led 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gd in Mar beating Helmsley Lad (11-2) by 15l, 3 ran.
Brio Conti (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Always prominent, led 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Mar beating Divine Spear (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 19 ran.
Captain Forez (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in touch in last pair, smooth headway into 4th 4 out, 3rd on outside 2 out, one pace when hung right between last two, kept on into 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Capitaine (11-7) at Ascot 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Chelsea Flyer (IRE) Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leaders, in 3rd from 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Feb beating Ramses De Teillee (11-2) by 3l, 11 ran.
Cultivator 4-7fav (11-7) Held up in touch, headway to chase leader 4 out, led 2 out, strongly challenged after last, just held on, won at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Mar beating Just Before Dawn (11-1) by hd, 10 ran.
Finian's Oscar (IRE) 1-16fav (11-11) Jumped well, tracked leader until led 3rd, clear 3 out, easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f lst (1) sft in Feb beating Taws (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Le Breuil (FR) 15-8 (11-4) Jumped slickly, took keen hold, led approaching 2nd, soon clear, reduced lead 4 out, joined 2 out, strongly pressed last, stayed on gamely to assert before last, won at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Mar beating Benatar (11-4) by 9l, 8 ran.
Lough Derg Spirit (IRE) 7-4 (11-8) Made all, driven 4 lengths clear 3 out, ran on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m (2) gd in Feb beating Peter The Mayo Man (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Messire Des Obeaux (FR) 8-1 (11-7) In touch, tracked winner 3 out, challenged next, not much room on bend soon after, ridden and outpaced by front pair before last, no impression after, 3rd of 15, 3 3/4l behind Willoughby Court (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.
Reivers Lad 4-9fav (11-12) With leader, led before 3 out, ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Newcastle 2m (4) hvy in Mar beating Applaus (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
La Bague Au Roi (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Led, jumped left 1st, soon headed, led 3rd, not fluent 2 out, headed between last 2, weakened before last, 7th of 16, 16 1/2l behind Let's Dance (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar.
