tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, closer 4 out, travelling well 2 out, good jump to lead last, quickened easily clear
held up in 4th place, went 3rd at 7th, outpaced and no chance with leading pair from 14th, mistake 2 out, tailed off
led until 2nd, chased leader until 5th, dropped to last at 7th, tailed off
tracked leader, led 2nd, not fluent next, pecked 13th, not fluent 16th, mistake next, ridden before 2 out, headed last, easily outpaced
Terrefort is no slouch and put a disappointing reappearance, when behind Thomas Patrick, behind him when third in the Cotswold at Cheltenham but it will be a surprise if he’s good enough to beat CLAN DES OBEAUX in receipt of only 3lb if the King George winner reproduces his Kempton form. All of Ballyhill’s form has come over shorter trips and in handicap company so he’d need the other to under-perform to play a part.
Clan Des Obeaux (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 5 out, challenged on bit 3 out, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec beating Thistlecrack (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Ballyhill (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, headway on outside 10th, soon pressing winner, every chance 2 out, 3rd and beaten from last, 3rd of 11, 9 1/4l behind Siruh Du Lac (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Jan.
Thomas Patrick (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) With leader, lost place 6th, rallied after next, lost place again 11th, under pressure 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out, at Taunton 3m 4f (2) gs in Jan.
Terrefort (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Held up in last pair, headway 16th, went 2nd before 2 out, unable to get to winner and dropped to 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Frodon (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (1) gs in Jan.
