jumped left, tracked leader, led 3 out, headed next, no extra approaching last
led, headed 3 out, led again next, driven flat, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd or 7th, mistake 9th, went 2nd before last, hard ridden flat, led towards finish
held up, closed 6th, close 3rd last, edged left flat, no impression on front pair final 100 yards
held up and behind, closed after 3 out, weakened after next, tailed off
held up, took keen hold, mistake 6th, jumped slowly 9th, headway 2 out, weakened approaching last
Reve de Sivola's defeat of Zarkandar in the Long Walk was a triumph for persistence. He won this in 2013 but was only fourth last year, despite having his favoured heavy ground, and Cole Harden won't give him any leeway on the front end this time. Un Temps Pour Tout beat Cole Harden by 16 lengths off level weights at Ascot a year ago so must be fancied to come out on top here on 6lb better terms if he stays, but Olofi was behind Cole Harden over 2m5f here at the start of the month and The Druids Nephew last ran over hurdles in 2012. SAPHIR DU RHEU is back over timber for the time being having failed to take to fences and looks the pick of the weights in this on his form in high-class handicaps last spring.
Cole Harden (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Led until 4th, soon led again, hit 7th, headed after 2 out, one pace last, rallied final 75 yards, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Rock On Ruby (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Led, dived badly at 3rd, hit 7th, pushed along before 2 out, joined 2 out, ridden and headed before last, mistake last, 2 lengths down and looked held flat, rallied gamely to lead again towards finish, won at Ascot 3m 1f hdl G1 (1) gs in Dec beating Zarkandar (11-7) by hd, 5 ran.
Saphir Du Rheu (FR) 11-8fav (11-7) Towards rear, fell 7th, in a race won by Coneygree (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Un Temps Pour Tout (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd 6 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, 4th entering straight, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 25, 7l behind Deep Trouble (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl in May.
Olofi (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd last, unable to get on terms, stayed on same pace, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 7, 5l behind Rock On Ruby (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs.
The Druids Nephew (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Towards rear, blundered 6th, headway before 17th, chasing leaders before 4 out, keeping on when blundered badly next, driven and no impression soon after, modest 4th when blundered last, weakened run-in, 7th of 19, 25l behind Many Clouds (11-6) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
