held up in touch in 4th, headway after 3 out, led narrowly when fell last
held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 3 out, a close 2nd and challenging when left in lead and clear last, eased towards finish
with leader, a close 3rd at last and challenging, soon left 2nd and badly hampered, not recover, held on for 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 2 out
led, pushed along before 3 out, headed before last, soon beaten, left 3rd after last, kept on and held for 2nd towards finish
Arctic Fire ran the race of his life to finish second in the Champion Hurdle. He finished almost seven lengths ahead of defending champion Jezki with Vaniteux a remote last and is much-improved. But Willie Mullins' charge has had a long season and is entering unknown territory, stamina-wise, over this extra half-mile whereas Jezki is a winner at the trip. Kingwell Hurdle winner Blue Heron also has something to prove at the distance while Melodic Rendezvous needs softer going and has a bit to find at the weights but Volnay De Thaix isn't without a chance if he gets a strong pace. He was, however, beaten by ROCK ON RUBY at Cheltenham in December and Harry Fry's stable star went on the beat Vaniteux at the same track the following month. The 10-year-old was forced to miss The Festival but is reportedly bouncing again and can go one better than when just touched off by The New One in this 12 months ago.
Arctic Fire (GER) 20-1 (11-10) Held up in touch in last pair, headway when not fluent 3 out, ridden after next, went 2nd last, edged right flat, kept on well, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Faugheen (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Blue Heron (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, mistake next, went towards stands side rail and pressed before 2 out, again edged left between last 2, in command last, clear flat, stayed on, won at Wincanton 2m hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb beating Irving (11-11) by 6l, 6 ran.
Jezki (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, disputed 2nd behind winner, challenged 3 out, ridden and unable to quicken when mistake last, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 8, 8l behind Faugheen (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Rock On Ruby (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 4th, soon headed, led again after 2 out, driven flat, clear final 75 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs in Jan beating Vaniteux (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Vaniteux (FR) 25-1 (11-10) In touch in mid-division on inside, pushed along after 4 out, outpaced before next, soon well beaten, last of 8, 28l behind Faugheen (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Volnay De Thaix (FR) 18-1 (11-9) In touch, mistake 4 out, driven to chase leaders after next, ridden before last, kept on same pace in 5th flat, never on terms, 5th of 25, 6l behind Aux Ptits Soins (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Melodic Rendezvous 5-4 (11-0) Chased winner, 2 lengths down when blundered badly 12th, pushed along and struggling after 4 out, weakened and lost 2nd at the last, not recover, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Irish Saint (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
