held up in 3rd, went 2nd behind clear leader (winner) when shaken up after 3 out, hit next, 1 length down last, ridden and stayed on to challenge flat, just held
allowed clear lead, made all, ridden after 3 out, reduced advantage between last 2, stayed on gamely when strongly challenged flat, just held on, all out
tracked clear leader (winner) to 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in last pair, hit 3 out, soon driven and unable to quicken, switched inside before last, stayed on into 3rd flat, no impression with front pair
held up in last pair, headway to chase front pair after 3 out, driven and one pace between last 2, no impression when mistake last, lost well held 3rd flat
BUVEUR D’AIR has won this Grade 1 for the past two seasons and will be a very short price to complete the hat-trick. Things didn’t go entirely to plan after his victory here 12 months ago but he was back to his best in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in May and should be much too good for these. Silver Streak, third in last season’s Champion Hurdle, won a Listed race at Kempton on his return to action and looks the one for forecast-backers, though the admirable Lady Buttons looked as good as ever at Wetherby and should pick up some nice place money. Cornerstone Lad is a tough dual purpose performer who loves the mud so he’s preferred to Nelson River of the others, though may lack the pace of the market principals.
Buveur D'Air (FR) 2-1jfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th at halfway, headway into 2nd travelling well entering straight, led before last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in May beating Supasundae (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cornerstone Lad 9-2 (12-0) Raced keenly, chased leaders, led soon after 3 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Theatre Legend (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Nelson River 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along 2 out, soon ridden, outpaced turning in, no impression last, weakened flat, 5th of 7, 13 1/4l behind Quel Destin (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m (2) hvy in Oct.
Silver Streak (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Held up in touch, tracked leaders after 3 out, led narrowly next, pushed clear between last 2, not fluent last, kept on, comfortably, won at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct beating Beat The Judge (11-0) by 8l, 5 ran.
Lady Buttons 2-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Indefatigable (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
