tracked leader, challenged 8th, led narrowly 9th until pushed along before 3 out, lost 2nd 3 out, ridden and beaten before next, fell last
jumped well, led until narrowly headed 9th, tracked leader, led again before 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra run-in
tracked leading pair, hit 8th, 2nd 3 out, challenged next, led approaching last, edged right and ridden clear run-in
took keen hold, held up 4th, awkward 1st, jumped left next, veered badly left and unseated rider 4th
Vaniteux finished behind Quite By Chance in a handicap over a shorter trip at Ascot in November but is a massive 12lb better off. He stayed this longer trip over hurdles so is a threat to VIBRATO VALTAT. The latter has been a little disappointing since finishing third in the 2015 Tingle Creek, though has his sights lowered today and is the pick of official ratings. Activial has been off the track for the best part of 12 months since finishing tailed off when odds-on at Newbury and would need a career-best over fences to win this.
Quite By Chance 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, on inside, lost place before 7th, well behind 13th, plugged on late, no chance, 6th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Shantou Flyer (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Mistake 1st, raced wide, off the pace in 4th, pushed along after 4 out, weakened next, last of 6, 20 1/2l behind Un De Sceaux (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Vaniteux (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) Mid-division on outside, headway before 7th, left close up 3 out, every chance 2 out, hung right and kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 11, 6 1/4l behind Eastlake (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Activial (FR) 8-13fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, mistake 8th, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, soon under pressure, weakened last, last of 3, 16 1/2l behind Out Sam (11-4) at Newbury 2m 7f (3) sft in Feb.
