behind, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, driven and lost place after 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
mid-division, steady headway after 3 out, led approaching last, clear flat, ridden out, stayed on well
mid-division on outside, outpaced 2 out, soon lost place, weakened before last
behind, hampered badly 4th, soon pushed along, headway under pressure on inside when hampered again after 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, 4th before last, kept on same pace, unable to reach leaders
in rear, outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure into mid-division after next, soon ridden, kept on, never reached leaders
mid-division on inside, blundered and unseated rider 4th
tracked leaders, effort after 2 out, soon every chance, one pace last, ridden and stayed on to chase clear winner flat
tracked leader, led narrowly after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace, no extra in 3rd final 110 yards
led, headed after 3 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, effort to challenge 2 out, lost place between last 2, beaten before last
held up towards rear, weakened after 2 out
You have to sit up and take notice when Willie Mullins, who runs four in this opener, says that Douvan is one of the nicest horses he's sent to Cheltenham. The five-year-old beat Sizing John by a dozen lengths at Gowran in November and took a Grade 2 at Punchestown in January without coming off the bridle. He is clearly a high-class recruit but will be a short-priced favourite and this is no straightforward task as the Henderson camp also have plenty of faith in L'Ami Serge, who has won all three starts since arriving from France, though the Mullins team should know where they stand on a line through his Ascot victim Killultagh Vic. Shaneshill was second in the Champion Bumper here last year but races over 2m for the first time over hurdles today and Tell Us More was beaten over 2m4f at Naas last time. Bentelimar and Jollyallan may have already had their limitations exposed but Seedling did well to give weight and a beating to Some Plan here in December having earlier accounted for a useful sort at Plumpton. QEWY has a lot to find on bare form but is completely unexposed and has plenty of pace so is a speculative selection to strike an early blow for bookmakers if Noel Fehily can produce him late up the hill.
Alvisio Ville (FR) 11-10fav (11-9) Tracked leader, ran freely, 2nd halfway, disputed briefly and not fluent 3 out, no impression on winner early straight and 3rd before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Nichols Canyon (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) in Feb.
Bentelimar (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, not fluent 4 out, progress to lead entering straight, soon ridden and asserted before last where not fluent, under pressure and kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) sft in Feb beating All Hell Let Loose (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Douvan (FR) 1-3fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, closed up travelling smoothly on outer into straight, led approaching last, eased on run-in, impressive, won at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Jan beating Alpha Des Obeaux (11-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Jollyallan 7-4 (11-2) Hit 1st, took keen hold, settled 3rd, closer order travelling strongly when mistake 2 out, went 2nd before the last, upsides last, edged right under pressure and nosed ahead run-in, headed final 100 yards, no extra and held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Garde La Victoire (11-4) at Sandown 2m Listed hdl (1) sft in Jan.
L'Ami Serge (IRE) 4-9fav (11-7) Tracked leading pair, not fluent 4th, smooth headway on outside to lead before 2 out, pushed clear between last 2, went slightly left last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Sandown 2m nov hdl G1 (1) sft in Jan beating Jolly's Cracked It (11-7) by 14l, 4 ran.
Qewy (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, slight stumble 5th, smooth headway approaching 3 out, tracking leaders next, led between last two, quickening clear when edged left briefly before last, pushed out run-in, impressive, won at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Feb beating Cardinal Walter (11-8) by 6l, 13 ran.
Seedling 5-1 (11-8) Chased clear leader, mistake 4th, closed before last, led flat, stayed on, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gs in Dec beating Some Plan (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Shaneshill (IRE) 4-9fav (11-3) Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, closer in 3rd 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon stayed on to narrow lead, headed run-in and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind No More Heroes (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) in Dec.
Sizing John 11-1 (11-7) Made all, jumped right 3rd, ran around slightly approaching 4th, ridden to assert before last, kept on strongly, won at Leopardstown 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Dec beating Sub Lieutenant (11-10) by 7l, 5 ran.
Some Plan (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Led, mistake 2nd, clear before 3 out, not fluent last, easily, won at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (2) gd in Feb beating The Grey Taylor (11-9) by 9l, 4 ran.
Tell Us More (IRE) 4-5fav (11-10) Led, ridden after 2 out, soon strongly pressed, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Mckinley (11-7) at Naas 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Velvet Maker (FR) 4-5fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress to lead 2 out, soon asserted, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl in Jan beating Sizing Titanium (11-12) by 10l, 20 ran.
