Footpad had DEVICE a short-neck behind when landing a Grade 3 here in May but was receiving 4lb and they meet off levels here. Beyond Henry, who was just over three lengths back in third, has since been well beaten behind the latter in two Grade 3's and Gerard Macaire's charge may have made the most progress despite Willie Mullins' raider subsequently scoring at the highest level. Paul Nicholls' Adrien Du Pont, who beat Chic Name a couple of lengths to land the Finale at Chepstow with Coo Star Sivola a further eight lengths back, had a pipe-opener at Cheltenham last month and his overall form puts him right in the picture but Capivari and Youm are held by the selection. The filly Perfect Impulse ran over fences last time but wasn't far behind the selection at Enghien a year ago and has a big pull in the weights.
Coo Star Sivola (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 6th, strongly challenged from 4 out, headed before 2 out, rallied and every chance last, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 9, 1l behind El Bandit (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct.
Device (FR) (10-12) won at Auteuil 2m 3f sft in Oct beating Vokalise (10-1) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Adrien Du Pont (FR) 13-8fav (11-6) Led, ridden and headed last, no extra and lost 3rd close home, 4th of 6, 15 1/2l behind Sceau Royal (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
Chic Name (FR) (10-5) 4th of 8, 15l behind Device (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Sep.
Youm (FR) (10-3) 5th of 9, 17 3/4l behind Device (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 3f sft in Oct.
Beyond Henry (USA) (10-12) 6th of 9, 23 3/4l behind Device (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 3f sft in Oct.
Footpad (FR) (10-7) won at Auteuil 2m 3f sft in Jun beating King's Socks (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Capivari (FR) (10-12) 3rd of 9, 12 1/2l behind Device (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 3f sft in Oct.
Perfect Impulse (FR) (10-5) won at Auteuil 2m 5f sft in Oct beating Bar Yton (10-7) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
