jumped well, made all, surged clear under hands and heels before 2 out, good jump last, eased close home, impressive
prominent, not fluent 5th, slow jump 6th, pushed along before 3 out, kept on same pace run-in
held up in midfield, ridden before 3 out, no impression
raced in last, ridden before 3 out, never a danger
chased leader, not fluent 3 out, ridden and chased clear leader before 2 out, kept on same pace run-in
The high-class Epatante bids to win this for the third time having dead-heated for first last year with Not So Sleepy. But this race is notable for the reappearance of the former’s stablemate CONSTITUTION HILL. The latter broke the course record at Cheltenham with a scintillating display in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle back in March and Nicky Henderson’s charge is impossible to oppose. Tommy's Oscar won a Grade 2 at Haydock in January and reverts to hurdling after finishing second in the Arkle Trial over fences at Cheltenham while Voix Du Reve has no chance at the weights.
Constitution Hill 9-4jfav (11-7) Chased leaders, left 2nd 3 out, led next, soon quickened away, well clear last, eased towards finish, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar beating Jonbon (11-7) by 22l, 9 ran.
Not So Sleepy 40-1 (9-5) Midfield, switched left and headway to go prominent halfway, raced wide and led over 8f out, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 21, 4 1/4l behind Run For Oscar (8-11) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Tommy's Oscar (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Waited with in rear, steady headway on heels of leaders 9th, switched right travelling well after 3 out, not much room turning in, left 2nd at the last, no chance with impressive winner, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Banbridge (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Voix Du Reve (FR) 22-1 (11-2) Left in 3rd 1st, closed to go 2nd 2 out, led narrowly last, headed flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Dashel Drasher (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f (2) sft in Nov.
Epatante (FR) 4-6fav (11-5) Mid-division, 4th halfway, went 3rd and pushed along entering straight, soon ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Marie's Rock (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 3f (1) gd in Apr.
