tracked clear leader, closer 3rd, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression between last 2, soon dropped to 3rd, weakened
led at start, led and soon clear, jumped slowly and reduced lead 3rd, ridden and hung right before 2 out, 1 length ahead last, headed and outpaced final 100 yards
raced in 3rd behind clear leader, hit 1st, closer on bit before 2 out, went 2nd before the last, 1 length down last, cruised into lead final 100 yards, hard held
not fluent 1st, soon detached, blundered 3 out, tailed off throughout
With doubts surrounding several of the leading fancies in next month’s Champion Hurdle, it could be a shrewd move to switch BUVEUR D’AIR back to the smaller obstacles. He was only beaten once over timber last season and that was in the Supreme Novices’. The six-year-old went on to land a Grade 1 at Aintree and should have too much for the enigmatic Irving and Rayvin Black receiving 4lb, though the latter is a mud-lover who also thrives on this stiff track. Hurry Henry will pick up some decent prize money if he completes in his own time.
Irving 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, fell 4th, at Haydock 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Rayvin Black 2-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden when slowed into 4 out, soon lost 2nd, 3rd and no impression from next, 3rd of 6, 33 1/2l behind Zamdy Man (11-4) at Hereford 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Buveur D'Air (FR) 3-10fav (11-6) Tracked front pair, not much room on inside entering home straight, went 2nd before 2 out, effort between last 2, upsides last, ridden to lead narrowly soon after, stayed on to assert towards finish, won at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Dec beating Gino Trail (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Hurry Henry (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, reminder after 4th, dropped to 5th and pushed along before 7th, ridden halfway and no extra 5 out, behind and pulled up after 3 out, at Cork 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
