tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, lost 2nd last, kept on same pace
raced wide, held up, hit 3 out, soon ridden, steady progress from next, went 2nd last, stayed on
keen, held up, headway to chase leader 8th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, joined leader 6th until next, struggling after 8th, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
led, ridden, headed after 3 out, soon outpaced
tracked leader, led after 3 out, clear next, kept on well, ridden out
held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden, every chance after 3 out, weakened next
Iroquois Warrior won with more in hand than the official margain suggests at Taunton and is likely to take a deal of beating here. Unusually for Paul Nicholls, he toke a huge leap distance wise with Iroquois Warrior and the selection fully justified the trainers' faith when benefiting from an ice cool ride from Ruby Walsh. He has received a hike of 15lb for that win but it was achieved in such a facile manner that you could not fault the handicapper with his re-assessment. Pistol Debois landed a gamble for connections when winning at Chepstow two weeks ago. He battled on gamely and appeared to relish the testing ground conditions and while he is open to improvement, he might be vulnerable against a rival with a finishing kick such as the selection. Harris Bay was a winner over course and distance on his penultimate start. He remains on a favourable mark over hurdles compared to his chase mark but is not the easiest to catch right. Iroquois Warrior was mightily impressive at Taunton and is the one they all have to beat.
Chiaro (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 21st of 24, well behind Naiad du Misselot (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs.
Iroquois Warrior (IRE) 4-1co-fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway from 8th, not fluent 2 out, soon led, mistake last, driven out, won at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb beating Kilbeggan Blade (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Lease Back (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Held up, behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Very Cool (11-5) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd, 9 ran.
Harris Bay 16-1 (11-2) Held up, lost touch 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Gungadu (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Nougat de L'Isle (FR) 4-1co-fav (11-10) Mistake 7th, soon behind and pulled up 5 out in race won by Which Pocket (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft, 10 ran.
Pistol Desbois (FR) 5-1fav (10-11) In touch, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on, all out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy beating This Way (10-12) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Giovanna 9-2 (11-2) Mid-division when fell at the 5th in race won by Heir To Be (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs, 8 ran.
In Media Res (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Very Cool (11-5) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd, 9 ran.
