chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, led before 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat
held up towards rear on inside, raced keenly, not fluent 5th or 6th, switched right and effort before 3 out, no impression from next
jumped right at times, raced freely, led and soon clear, not fluent 3rd, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly, blundered badly 2 out, pulled up before last
chased leader until ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, not fluent 5th or 6th, closed 3 out, went 2nd going well after 2 out, shaken up when inconvenienced last, soon switched left, challenged flat, led close home, joined post, awarded race outright
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, pushed along 4th, soon lost place, behind next, pulled up before 6th
held up rear of mid-division, headway final bend, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, drifted left going to last, pressed flat, headed close home, joined leader post, demoted to 2nd
held up in mid-division, closed 3rd, ridden after 3 out, 4th and no extra before last
chased leaders on outside, hit 2nd and lost place, behind after next, pulled up before 4th
PIED PIPER (NAP) may have lost his unbeaten record in the Triumph Hurdle but he can advertise the form of that race by getting his head back in front here with Knight Salute well held on the form book. Brazil looks the danger having pipped the much-vaunted Gaelic Warrior in the Boodles when Too Friendly, who will be 12lb worse off, was fifth. Petit Tonnerre didn’t beat much on his UK debut in a handicap at Market Rasen but still has scope and makes more appeal than fellow French imports In The Air and Fautinette.
Brazil (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leader, hampered 2nd, carried right 3 out and next, switched to inside turning in, ridden and two lengths down at the last, stayed on to lead towards finish, all out, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar beating Gaelic Warrior (11-1) by shd, 21 ran.
Impulsive One (USA) 7-2 (11-3) Raced on inside, chased leader until pushed along turning in, weakened before 2 out where bad mistake, 7th of 11, 26 1/4l behind Knight Salute (11-3) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Inca Prince (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-12) Keen, led soon after 1st, made rest and soon clear, increased lead 3 out, pushed out, unchallenged, won at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Mar beating Collingham (11-11) by 6 1/2l, 9 ran.
In The Air (FR) 8-11fav (11-5) Pressed leader, led on long run before 3 out, clear before 2 out, left further clear at the last, kept up to work run-in, won at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Mar beating Chadlington Lad (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Knight Salute 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, awkward 1st, some headway 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, 9th of 12, 20l behind Vauban (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Mar.
Petit Tonnerre (FR) 4-5fav (11-12) Raced wide tracked leader, hit 4 out, not fluent next, joined leader when hit 2 out and last, pushed along to lead towards finish, readily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Feb beating Presuming Ed (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 3 ran.
Pied Piper 7-2 (11-0) Restrained in midfield, awkward 1st, headway travelling strongly 2 out, almost upsides before last, close up flat, no extra close home, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Vauban (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Mar.
Too Friendly 16-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway chased leaders before 2 out, pushed along turning in, modest 4th at the last, weakened run-in, 5th of 21, 4 3/4l behind Brazil (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Fautinette (FR) Evens (11-0) Chase leader, led from 5 out, ridden out, comfortable, won at Vichy 2m hvy in May beating Purprod Boiz (10-7) by 1l, 7 ran.
