prominent, led 8th, headed 12th, every chance 2 out, held by winner last, kept on
led until 8th, led 12th, lost place before 4 out
chased leaders on outside, lost place before 4 out, soon behind, pulled up after
prominent until 4th, chased leaders, lost place from 9th, well beaten 4 out
slow 1st, soon handy, effort 9th, ridden and beaten 4th from 3 out, one pace
chased leaders, mistakes, lost place 4th, well beaten from 12th, well behind before 3 out, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway from 9th, led 12th, hit 3 out, stayed on
held up in rear, blundered 10th, some headway 3 out, no impression
held up, headway before 4 out, 3rd from next, no impression, one pace
held up towards rear, ridden 9th, never involved, plugged on flat
War Sound is just 2lb higher than when landing this 12 months ago but that was his only victory to date over fences and this is a competitive renewal. Irish raider The West's Awake was a bit unlucky at Listowel in September and has been running into form but Bigmartre is hard to catch right nowadays and Riders Onthe Storm has something to prove at present. Oldgrangewood placed twice here in the spring while Copper West won a decent race at Market Rasen three weeks ago. Duke Street has won twice over hurdles since getting off the mark over fences and The Russian Doyen is 2-4 over fences and ran well at the Cheltenham Festival in March. CEPAGE found only Frodon too good on his reappearance in a Grade 3 at Cheltenham last December. A further absence is a worry but he has a touch of class and can go close if fully wound-up.
Cepage (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, 3 lengths down and held flat, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Frodon (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Dec.
Bigmartre (FR) 17-2 (10-4) Chased leader, jumped slowly 7th, lost 2nd next, weakened before 10th (normal 4 out), last of 5, dist behind Forest Bihan (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Oct.
The West's Awake (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Held up in rear, slight mistake 1st, pushed along briefly 8th, slight mistake next, slight mistake 4 out, ridden into 3rd after next, under pressure in 2nd 2 out, kept on run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind A Toi Phil (11-6) at Listowel 2m 4f Yielding in Sep.
Indian Temple (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Led but pressed and soon clear with rival who set strong pace, headed 8th, chased leader until weakened 4 out, 4th of 9, dist behind Soupy Soups (10-1) at Perth 3m hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Duke Street (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Always prominent, led 2 out, clear turning in, ridden out flat, stayed well, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Oct beating The Big Galloper (10-11) by 5l, 17 ran.
The Russian Doyen (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leaders on outside, went close 2nd after 3rd, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened final 100 yards, 4th of 20, 24 1/4l behind A Plus Tard (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Settled behind leaders, slight mistake 6th, 4th halfway, dropped towards rear 4 out, pulled up before next, at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
War Sound 10-1 (10-6) Always towards rear and badly hampered 1st, never a factor, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, no extra next, behind and pulled up before 2 out, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in May.
Oldgrangewood 6-4fav (11-2) Held up on inside, effort to lead 4 out, jumped right 3 out, headed after 2 out, switched right before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Minella Daddy (10-9) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in May.
Copper West (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Keen in rear, headway, slow 4th, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, not fluent 2 out, led after last, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Oct beating Theligny (10-6) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
