tracked leaders, waited with going well from 3 out, switched left before last, ridden and asked for effort flat, challenged towards finish, led close home
led, driven and joined after 2 out, headed flat, held close home
tracked leader, jumped left 2nd, not fluent 8th, challenged 2 out, ridden before last, led flat, headed close home
There may only be four runners in this but all have some sort of chance. Theatre Flame beat Champagne At Tara by almost five lengths at Newbury but the latter is now 4lb better off. Winner Massagot was much better last month at Doncaster and Noel Fehily keeps the partnership intact but we'll take the fast-improving UN PROPHETE to defy a massive 12lb rise and extend his unbeaten record over the larger obstacles. He takes time to warm up in his races but is a strong finisher and the testing conditions here are very much in his favour.
Champagne At Tara 2-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, slow 5th, in touch 7th, not fluent 9th, 2nd 3 out, driven and no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd and one pace, 3rd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Theatre Flame (10-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Theatre Flame (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, fell 3rd, at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Un Prophete (FR) Evensfav (12-5) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 8th, went 2nd after 5 out, challenged after next, led 3 out, drew clear from next, comfortably, won at Southwell 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Texas Forever (11-3) by 6l, 6 ran.
Winner Massagot (FR) 22-1 (10-12) Held up, closed 4th, mistake 9th, 2nd after 4 out, 6 lengths down when left in lead and slightly hampered 2 out, not fluent and headed last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Querry Horse (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan.
