tracked leader, mistake 8th, pushed along before 4 out, led 3 out, tended to idle in front but well in command final 100 yards
took keen hold in last, not fluent 2nd, left 3rd 3 out, weakened next
led, not fluent 2nd, clear 4th until 7th, headed 3 out, hung left flat, well held final 100 yards
raced keenly in 3rd, challenged 4 out until went badly wrong on landing 3 out, pulled up and dismounted
The Russian Doyen, last of five when favourite at Cheltenham last month, may struggle to concede 19lb to the very much in-form LE PRECIEUX, who has won his last two over fences and was also successful on the all-weather last month. The going is in the latter’s favour and he looks the one to beat again. Despite being well backed at Hereford, Charming Zen shaped as though he needed the run. He is probably capable of better but this may have come around soon enough. Knockmaole Boy has only run once since 2017 and that was over 7f on the Flat – he’s changed stables since.
The Russian Doyen (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Not always fluent, prominent when mistake 1st, chased leaders, last 13th, ridden and effort 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened before next, last of 5, 27 1/2l behind Drovers Lane (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gd in Dec.
Knockmaole Boy (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Towards rear, dropped to 6th after 2f, under pressure and slightly detached halfway, no impression and detached under 2f out, never a factor, eased closing stages, last of 6, 10 1/4l behind Sirjack Thomas (9-3) at Sligo 7f Good - Yielding in Jun.
Charming Zen (FR) 7-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, challenged 7th until 2 out, 3rd and no extra approaching last, 3rd of 6, 18 3/4l behind Go Long (10-12) at Hereford 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Le Precieux (FR) 2-1 (10-8) Took keen hold, tracked leader, not always fluent, hit 9th, challenged last, led flat, ran on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Clondaw Castle (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
