held up in touch, led 5 out, looking in command and about 3 lengths up when left clear from 2 out
tracked leaders, about 3 lengths down and looking held when fell 2 out
led to 5 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off when left remote 2nd 2 out
tracked leader, lost place and in rear before 1st, tailed off before 3 out
in touch, weakened from 5 out, tailed off next
non-runner
After wins in maiden and novice company, BUVEUR D'AIR faces his stiffest test to date but should be up to the task. He has a couple of entries at Cheltenham and probably has more scope than Politologue, who needs further judged on his one-paced second behind Barters Hill at Newbury. The selection had better form in bumpers than Ghost River but Peter Bowen's charge does look the type to win races over timber when he has gained some experience.
Politologue (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked front pair, close up 2 out, driven and one pace between last 2, ridden to take 2nd flat, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 12l behind Barters Hill (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Ghost River 40-1 (11-5) Jinked start and slowly away, soon mid-division on outside, in touch halfway, outpaced over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 23, 20 1/4l behind Moon Racer (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
Trans Express (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Behind, headway from 2 out, never a threat, 5th of 13, 32l behind Gala Ball (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) sft in Jan.
Petite Fantasie 12-1 (10-5) Led until 1st, prominent, led again 6th, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Black Narcissus (11-9) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Beau Knight 66-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, 10th and well beaten after 3 out, 10th of 14, dist behind Allee Bleue (11-10) at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Buveur D'Air (FR) 2-11fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway 4th, led 2 out, clear flat, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m (4) gs in Jan beating Breath Of Blighty (11-4) by 7l, 9 ran.
