chased leaders on inside, left tracking leading pair 12th, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next
led until 9th, lost 2nd 11th (water), no extra in 3rd from 3 out
chased leader and keen, led 9th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden after next, joined last, idled hung left and headed final 150 yards, no extra
held up well in rear, jumped slowly 5th, left closer in 5th at 12th, headway chasing leaders before 3 out went 2nd between last 2, challenged and untidy last, stayed on to lead final 150 yards, soon clear
raced out wide tracking leaders and keen, jumped slowly 7th, left in 4th and hampered by faller 12th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leading pair and keen, went 2nd 11th (water), fell next
tracked leaders, pushed along before 11th (water), dropped to last pair when badly hampered by faller and unseated rider 12th
Messire Des Obeaux is 2-2 over fences at Wincanton. He was too good for a couple of smart novices in a Grade 2 last time and will have been aimed at this as he won’t be going to Cheltenham. DAME DE COMPAGNIE had no trouble beating a sole rival at Ayr over a trip too short. She was 4-8 over hurdles and could upset better-fancied rivals here as she has everything in her favour. Shan Blue completed his hat-trick in the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day and won’t go down without a fight but Hitman, runner-up in a Grade 1 here last time, goes beyond 2m for the first time though should be suited.
Messire Des Obeaux (FR) 9-4 (11-0) Held up, going strongly 4 out, smooth headway to lead 3 out, went clear before 2 out, briefly ridden run-in, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan beating Protektorat (11-3) by 4 3/4l, 3 ran.
Paint The Dream 16-1 (10-11) Jumped well and boldly, led from 1st, clear approaching last, easily, won at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Dickie Diver (11-1) by 7 1/2l, 8 ran.
Shan Blue (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Led until before 7th, pressed leader, led again 11th until approaching next, in front again 13th, made rest, over 1 length ahead last, driven and in command run-in, won at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec beating The Big Breakaway (11-7) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Sporting John (IRE) 10-11fav (11-2) Tracked leader in 3rd, headway to stalk leading pair 4 out, outpaced 3 out, no more and eased down close home, 3rd of 6, 33 1/4l behind Fiddlerontheroof (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f (3) gs in Nov.
Up The Straight (IRE) 7-4 (10-12) Chased leader who went clear 6th, clever next, closer at 9th, led next, pushed along before 2 out, joined last, ridden and headed run-in, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Umbrigado (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Hitman (FR) 11-4 (10-10) Raced in third, went second and in pursuit of leader before bypassed 3 out, ran on well but not reach winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Allmankind (10-10) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Dame De Compagnie (FR) 1-2fav (10-5) In touch, not fluent 4th, nudged along before 4 out, led before 2 out, asserted before big jump last, ran on, won at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Jan beating Cornerstone Lad (10-12) by 9l, 2 ran.
