held up towards rear, steady headway 2 out, not clear run and switched right turning in, driven to to chase winner when pecked last, soon ridden and one pace, no impression flat, lost 2nd post
held up behind, headway towards outside before 2 out, chased leaders between last 2, ridden and effort before last, soon one pace, no extra flat
mid-division, headway under pressure after 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, one pace when not fluent at flight, no extra
always behind, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
held up mid-division, steady headway after 3 out, challenged going well between last 2, led before last, ridden clear flat, stayed on well
held up behind, headway on outside before 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, soon one pace, no impression in 4th flat
tracked leaders, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, lost place before 3 out, ridden and stayed on into mid-division flat, no chance with leaders
mid-division, tracked leaders after 2 out, effort before last, soon ridden and one pace, no impression after
mid-division, outpaced after 2 out, ridden and stayed on to chase leaders between last 2, lost place and weakening when mistake last
made most, driven and headed before last, soon lost place and no impression with winner, ridden flat, stayed on to regain 2nd post
tracked leaders, driven 3 out, lost place before before next, soon weakened, tailed off
pressed leader, ridden when lost place after 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, blundered 4th, challenged 2 out, ridden and lost place before last, soon weakened
mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, effort when not much room and lost place before last, switched right, soon weakened
Defi Du Seuil is three from three around here and has won all five starts over hurdles, including a Grade 1 - he’ll not surrender that record easily. The Irish form this season has given out mixed messages but Bapaume, Ex Patriot, Mega Fortune and Dinaria Des Obeaux would all have claims if at the top of their game. Landofhopeandglory also enters calculations as he didn’t enjoy the heavy ground at Fairyhouse last month and was a decent stayer on the Flat, finishing fourth when favourite for last year’s Queens Vase at Royal Ascot when Soldier In Action and King Julien were well behind. Joseph O’Brien’s gelding may have more speed than the majority of these if this turns into a tactical affair. Soldier In Action didn’t beat much at Doncaster last month and was behind Forth Bridge at Musselburgh on his debut, though should get a lot closer today. However, his trainer Nicky Henderson also runs CHARLI PARCS and we are going to forgive the latter a below-par run in the Adonis at Kempton, where he was being ridden when falling two out. He’d given weight and a sound beating to eventual winner Master Blueyes at that track on his UK debut and connections believe they have the French import back on song.
Bapaume (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Led early, headed after 1st, 3rd after 3rd, on terms again next, headed approaching straight, kept on without matching winner from last, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Mega Fortune (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Charli Parcs (FR) 8-15fav (11-5) Held up in touch on inside, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, soon pushed along in close 3rd and every chance when fell 2 out, at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Coeur de Lion 7-4 (10-10) Tracked leaders, tracked leading pair 3rd, 2nd before 2 out, led between last 2, strongly pressed final 50 yards, battled on gamely and found bit extra last strides, won at Sandown 2m (3) hvy in Feb beating Rather Be (11-10) by hd, 9 ran.
Dandy Mag (FR) 11-10fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th at 3rd where slight mistake, 3rd approaching straight, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on well to assert from last, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn hvy in Feb beating Lachares (11-7) by 5 1/2l, 20 ran.
Defi Du Seuil (FR) 1-5fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd going well before 2 out, led approaching last, easily drew clear flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Jan beating Rainbow Dreamer (11-4) by 9l, 4 ran.
Ex Patriot (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Raced in 7th early, mistake 2nd, improved to chase leader from before straight, challenged from before 2 out, soon on terms, led between last 2 and edged slightly right, kept on run-in, just held on, demoted to 2nd, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) hvy in Feb beating Dinaria Des Obeaux (10-7) by hd, 9 ran.
I See You Well (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Led, hard pressed approaching 2 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Domperignon Du Lys (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Landin (GER) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd after 3 out, hanging left from before next, switched right last, stayed on, unable to challenge flat, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Night Of Sin (11-5) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Landofhopeandglory (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Raced in 6th early, improved to chase leader on inner into straight, 3rd from before 2 out, no extra from before last, 3rd of 9, at Fairyhouse 2m (1) hvy in Feb.
Master Blueyes (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Held up, smooth headway tracking leaders after 3 out, 2nd travelling well approaching 2 out, led after 2 out, clear before the last, easily, won at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb beating Evening Hush (10-12) by 11l, 10 ran.
Mega Fortune (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Prominent, led after 1st, slight mistake 2nd, joined 4th, led again approaching straight, soon went on, slight mistake last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Bapaume (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Soldier In Action (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Made all, shaken up and clear before last, easily, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Feb beating Apache Song (10-5) by 14l, 8 ran.
Dinaria Des Obeaux (FR) 10-11fav (10-7) Close up, soon disputed lead, slightly awkward at 5th and led, pressed from before 2 out, soon joined, headed between last 2 and impeded, switched left, rallied and stayed on well run-in, just failed, promoted to 1st, 2nd of 9, hd behind Landofhopeandglory (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) hvy in Feb.
Evening Hush (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leader until 4th, chased leaders, hit 3 out, led approaching 2 out until after 2 out, chased winner, no impression when mistake last, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Master Blueyes (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Magie Du Ma (FR) (10-10) 2nd of 10, 2l behind D'vina (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 1f sft in Jun.
King Julien (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Mid-division, lost place 3f out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Pivotal Dream (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (7) pol in Jan.
