led 1st, shaken up before 2 out, drew clear from last, stayed on strongly
led until 1st, chased winner until ran out 5th
held up on outside, not fluent 3rd, closed before 4th, left 3rd 5th, went 2nd 4 out, shaken up after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon hung left, beaten last, hanging left and well held flat
held up, not fluent 1st, headway before 4th, left 2nd next, mistake and lost 2nd 7th, outpaced before 3 out, soon last and eased, pulled up before 3 out
held up, went 3rd before 3 out, ridden and pressing for 2nd from 2 out, no impression on winner, one pace and 3rd flat
A fascinating renewal of this Grade 1, which has again attracted some smart novices. Bravemansgame was always travelling best over course and distance last month but like Does He Know, who is on a four-timer, has only raced on good ground so far over hurdles. STAR GATE (NAP) won as he liked at Chepstow, beating two subsequent winners, and showed a fair turn of foot on heavy going when beating two previous winners in a Grade 2 at Sandown earlier this month. He looks the one to be on as Wilde About Oscar will need to up his game after two wins in lesser company and Enfant Roi was 0-6 over hurdles in France. The Glancing Queen had no trouble landing the odds on her hurdles bow but some of these may know too much for Alan King’s talented mare.
Bravemansgame (FR) 8-11fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led going well 3 out, went clear on bridle after last, impressive, won at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gd in Nov beating Es Perfecto (11-3) by 7 1/2l, 5 ran.
Does He Know 11-8fav (11-3) Chased leader, led before last, clear flat, edged right, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Nov beating Wild Romance (10-7) by 3l, 7 ran.
Star Gate (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led briefly 3 out, challenged 2 out, led soon after, quickened clear run-in, impressive, won at Sandown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec beating Valleres (11-0) by 8 1/2l, 3 ran.
Wilde About Oscar (IRE) 8-15fav (11-4) Always prominent, led before last, soon clear, easily, won at Aintree 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov beating Docpickedme (10-12) by 16l, 6 ran.
The Glancing Queen (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Held up in touch on inside, travelled strongly, went 2nd off final bend, led before 2 out, clear flat, impressive, won at Warwick 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov beating Bourbon Beauty (10-12) by 8l, 6 ran.
Enfant Roi (FR) (10-7) 2nd of 12, 8l behind Suroit (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 6f hcp hvy in Nov.
