led narrowly, in tight 5th, driven and headed before 2 out, lost further ground approaching last, kept on at one pace flat
in touch, not fluent 4th, nudged along before 4 out, led before 2 out, asserted before big jump last, ran on
Just the two runners but a fascinating duel. Dame De Compagnie made giant strides over hurdles last season and should make a chaser. But she is lacking both a recent run and experience and racing over a trip that is short of her best so may find CORNERSTONE LAD a tough nut to crack given Micky Hammond’s versatile gelding jumped well when second to an improver at Haydock on his chasing bow.
Cornerstone Lad 10-3 (10-12) Held up, chased leader 4th, close up 7th, ridden after 3 out, lost ground on leader 2 out, no extra from last, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Cheddleton (11-4) at Haydock 2m (3) hvy in Dec.
Dame De Compagnie (FR) 5-1fav (10-12) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 3 out, shaken up to challenge approaching last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, asserted near finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar beating Black Tears (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 25 ran.
