led narrowly at very slow pace and cantered into the 1st, hit next, soon headed, pushed along and lost 2nd before 2 out, awkward 2 out, weakened into 5th soon after
tracked leaders in 4th on inside, dropped to last at 4th, pushed along after 3 out, headway chasing leaders before next, went 2nd at the last, never any chance with most impressive winner
tracked leader who set very slow pace, led after next, increased tempo turning away before 3rd, quickened again on bit before 2 out, soon drew clear, most impressive
tracked leaders in 3rd on inside, went 2nd before 2 out, mistake and stumbled 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, lost well held 2nd at the last
held up last in slowly run race, headway out wide tracking leaders at 4th, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, went well held 4th after 2 out
Colonel Mustard was keeping good company in the spring and got his head in front at Galway in October. Knappers Hill, a smart bumper horse, is 2-2 over hurdles and learning with experience while Jonbon looked every inch a Festival prospect when extending his unbeaten record on his hurdles bow at Newbury. I Like To Move It completed his hat-trick in a Cheltenham Grade 2 last month so shouldn’t be underestimated but we fancy the mare ELLE EST BELLE to give the boys plenty to think about. She quickened clear in a Listed contest at Newbury last month and her bumper form was at least on a par with today’s rivals.
I Like To Move It 4-6fav (11-3) Made all and set good pace, hit 3rd, pushed along and quickened after 2 out, 3 lengths ahead last, ridden and stayed on strongly run-in, unchallenged, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov beating Washington (11-0) by 2l, 3 ran.
Colonel Mustard (FR) 5-6fav (12-0) Soon led, slightly hampered by loose horse and stumbled before 5th where not fluent, slight mistake 2 out, strongly pressed at last, pushed along to assert final 150 yards, comfortably, won at Galway 2m mdn sft in Oct beating Champagne Vacation (12-0) by 5 1/2l, 9 ran.
Jonbon (FR) 10-11fav (11-4) Held up in touch in 4th, led 3rd, drew clear from 2 out, very easily, won at Newbury 2m mdn (3) gs in Nov beating Good Risk At All (11-4) by 6l, 8 ran.
Knappers Hill (IRE) 1-10fav (11-4) Held up in touch, tracked leader 3rd, travelled strongly to lead last (usual 2 out), pushed clear close home, easily, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) gd in Nov beating Gala De Corton (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
Elle Est Belle 2-1 (11-0) Towards rear, going well in close 4th before 2 out, pressed leaders last, ridden and led 1f out on run-in, pushed out and stayed on strongly, won going away, won at Newbury 2m lst (1) gs in Nov beating Ahorsewithnoname (11-0) by 8 1/2l, 6 ran.
