led, not fluent 2nd, headed 11th, led next, nudged clear 3 out, easily
took keen hold, tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, 2nd 8th, jumped right and led 11th, headed next, ridden and lost 2nd when not fluent 3 out, no chance with winner next
tracked winner until 8th, went 2nd again when hit 3 out, well held next
NonRunner
ADRIEN DU PONT hung badly on the run-in last month at Ascot and was denied by the mare Happy Diva. She’s a decent novice, however, and Paul Nicholls’ six-year-old should really be getting back to winning ways in this if he plots a straighter course. Rayvin Black could make a race of it if granted an easy lead as he won at Ludlow two runs ago before weakening at the last at Sandown - he won a Grade 2 over hurdles here in 2016. Jeu De Mots is almost certainly better than he showed at Hereford but it’s hard to make a case for Sparky's Spirit.
Rayvin Black 10-3 (11-8) Bumped 1st, soon led, mistake 12th (water), headed after 3 out, not fluent last, lost 2nd and no extra, 3rd of 4, 30l behind Diamant Bleu (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Jeu De Mots (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Keen early, held up in last, not fluent 14th, losing touch after 4 out, well beaten 2 out, last of 4, 33 3/4l behind Geordie Des Champs (11-4) at Hereford 3m 1f (4) sft in Mar.
Sparky's Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Embole (10-7) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) sft in Feb.
Adrien Du Pont (FR) 4-5fav (11-3) Pulled hard tracking leader until steadied 3rd after 9th, mistake and stumbled badly 11th, 2nd again on outside approaching 2 out, good jump and every chance last, pressing winner when hung badly left run-in, not recover, 2nd of 3, 1l behind Happy Diva (10-13) at Ascot 2m 5f (3) sft in Mar.
