tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, ridden approaching next, switched right after 2 out, stayed on same pace last
prominent, not fluent 4 out, ridden after 3 out, lost 2nd last, stayed on same pace
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden before next, driven and went 2nd last, tried to challenge flat, winner pulled out more and no impression towards finish
edgy in preliminaries, held up, took keen hold, outpaced 4 out, soon behind, mistake last
led, not fluent 5th, headed before 7th, soon ridden, lost place before 3 out, well behind when pulled up before last
held up in rear, started pulling hard from 2nd and made headway to track leaders before next, not fluent 6th, led before 7th, not fluent 2 out, ridden and pressed briefly flat, pulled out extra and went away towards finish
NonRunner
YORKHILL is unbeaten under Rules with his last two victories coming in Grade 1 company. He was probably given a better ride than market rival Yanworth in the Neptune Investment at Cheltenham last month but that was still a top-class effort and it's difficult to see any of these lowering his colours. Le Prezien was second to Yanworth on his UK debut at Warwick in the autumn and has done nothing wrong since, winning three of four subsequent starts including the Grade 2 Premier Kelso Hurdle last time. The selection should have his measure over this longer trip, however, and though Flying Angel is a rattling good handicapper, he's probably not up to winning a race like this. Bello Conti is Willie Mullins' second string and this may be too hot a contest for the hat-trick seeking Prince Of Steal.
Bello Conti (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, close up next, ridden and outpaced by front trio before last, kept on same pace uner pressure, just held on for 4th, no impression, 4th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Yorkhill (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
Flying Angel (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd after 3 out until before next, challenged before omitted last, stayed on, held close home, 2nd of 24, 1 1/4l behind Ibis Du Rheu (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Le Prezien (FR) 13-8fav (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd after 3 out, led after next, driven clear towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 2f (1) sft in Mar beating The Dutchman (11-5) by 3l, 6 ran.
Prince Of Steal (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up on outside, went 2nd after 6th, led before not fluent 2 out, clear approaching last, comfortably, won at Fakenham 2m (4) sft in Feb beating Hollies Pearl (11-3) by 8l, 5 ran.
The Dutchman (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) With leader, led 6th, not fluent and headed 4 out, led after 3 out, headed after next, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Le Prezien (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
Yorkhill (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Travelled well throughout, held up mid-division on inside, not fluent 4 out, not much room before next, tracked leaders before 2 out, led before last, ridden and edged right flat, kept on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar beating Yanworth (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Ghost River 100-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Yorkhill (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Mar.
