chased leader, hit 4th, blundered and lost 2nd 7th, dropped to 4th next, rallied to 2nd again approaching 4 out, led narrowly next, joined 2 out, ridden and slight lead when hung badly left flat, stayed on and on top close home
tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd 8th, 4th and held when fell 3 out
soon in rear, well outpaced from 6th, left in poor 4th and slightly hampered 3 out, no chance when refused last
led, narrowly headed 3 out, soon ridden chasing winner, lost 2nd approaching 2 out, soon no chance with leading duo
tracked leaders, jumped left 3rd, not fluent 5th, went 2nd approaching 7th until approaching 4 out, every chance when hit 4 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, challenged last, every chance when carried left flat, no extra and held close home
With only one place in six starts over fences so far, TOUR D'ARGENT look a risky proposition but he's been quite highly tried. On a fair mark now and probably racing at the right level, Donald McCain's seven-year-old is worth an interest here. Rio De Sivola won at Warwick before finishing second at Ascot and will attract support, even though he's gone up a further 3lb since, while Wincanton winner Lord Of House has been raised 6lb since running Tresor De Bontee to half-a-length at Uttoxeter. Zarzal was a course and distance winner in November but is now 8lb higher, though still preferred to Duaiseoir and Sir Valentino.
Lord Of House (GER) 5-2 (11-11) Led, driven after 2 out, headed flat, just held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Tresor De Bontee (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Zarzal (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 4th of 7, 49l behind Act Of Kalanisi (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Duaiseoir (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, pecked 6th, in rear from next, went 3rd before 4 out until last, one pace, 4th of 6, 41l behind Princely Player (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Rio De Sivola (FR) 15-8fav (11-0) Led, hit 4 out, headed 2 out, chased winner, held when switched left before last, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Bellenos (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Sir Valentino (FR) 9-2 (10-12) With leader, led 4th, fell 7th, in a race won by Croco Bay (11-0) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Tour D'Argent (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd after 4th, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 21l behind De Boitron (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
