shade keen, held up last, closer in 4th 3 out, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, went 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, went 2nd last strides, never able to challenge
led until 2 out, chased winner, ridden between last 2, kept on, over 1 length down last, lost 2nd final strides
took keen hold, tracked leading pair until after 2nd, mistake next, went left 6th, 3rd again 3 out, pushed along before next, ridden and weakened after 2 out
raced wide throughout, took keen hold, held up, headway chasing leading pair after 2nd, chased leader 4th until 4 out, weakened next, tailed off and eased
tracked leader until 4th, chased leading pair, 2nd again 4 out, ridden to lead narrowly 2 out, over 1 length ahead last, driven and kept on gamely run-in
Defi Du Seuil bids to become the first four-year-old winner of this since Silviniaco Conti in 2010. The Triumph Hurdle winner beat what looked a strong field at Cheltenham and had no problems following-up at Aintree where he gained his seventh victory in as many starts over hurdles. He arrives without a prep-run and L'AMI SERGE should have a slight fitness advantage having scored over 3m1f at Auteuil in June. Nicky Henderson's charge proved himself a genuine Grade 1 performer that day and though the trip could be a bit on the short side he can concede weight to his younger rival. Lil Rockerfeller is another who might prefer further having been beaten narrowly in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham though he'll be better for his comeback in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby. The remaining pair look outclassed.
L'Ami Serge (IRE) (10-11) won at Auteuil 3m 1f Grp 1 hvy in Jun beating Alex De Larredya (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Wakea (USA) 16-1 (11-2) Raced close 2nd and pressed leader, ridden before 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, 4th run-in and kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 7 1/2l behind Melon (11-2) at Down Royal 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Defi Du Seuil (FR) 4-11fav (11-0) Held up in 5th, closed 4th, 2nd before 2 out, led narrowly approaching last, pushed out to assert flat, readily, won at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gd in Apr beating Divin Bere (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Dicosimo (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Led, asserted before 6th where not fluent, reduced advantage after 6th, headed after 4 out, dropped to 5th before 2 out, kept on one pace to 4th close home, 4th of 8, 9 1/2l behind A Rated (11-12) at Wexford 2m gd in Sep.
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 2-1jfav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd 8th, led 4 out, soon headed, led again approaching 3 out, headed before 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Colin's Sister (10-10) at Wetherby 3m (1) sft in Nov.
