led, pushed along before 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on and held run-in
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on well towards finish
in rear, pushed along and weakened before 4 out
A cracking contest with all five commanding respect. Vaniteux holds Arzal on Kempton running over Christmas, although the former was arguably a fraction disappointing when beaten that day after hacking up on chasing debut. He still looks a chaser of some potential though as there's room for improvement in his fencing fluency. Fox Norton is tough and consistent whilst Bouvreuil looked a promising young chaser when proving too good for the talented Vyta Du Roc here last time. He receives weight all round but SHANESHILL is unbeaten over fences, represents Willie Mullins and will have no problem with the faster conditions, having finished runner-up to Douvan on similar ground in the 2015 Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Festival.
Arzal (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, not fluent 5th, hit next, soon lost 2nd, driven and one pace from 3 out, no impression on front pair, mistake last, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Ar Mad (11-8) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Fox Norton (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Led, driven 2 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on same pace under pressure flat, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Garde La Victoire (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov.
Shaneshill (IRE) 4-7fav (11-8) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 5 out, disputing lead travelling well when mistake 2 out and headed briefly, regained lead before last, not fluent at last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m hvy in Jan beating Sizing Codelco (11-8) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Vaniteux (FR) 10-11fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, hit 1st, went 2nd after 6th, challenged 3 out, led before next, driven and edged right approaching last, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Ar Mad (11-8) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Bouvreuil (FR) 7-2 (10-7) In rear, headway 6 out to go 3rd, went 2nd before 2 out, led last, held on well towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan beating Vyta Du Roc (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
