held up in touch, lost place 4 out, behind from 3 out
chased leader, led 2 out, soon clear and edged right, easily
raced keenly in touch, ridden and weakened approaching last
held up last, progress to take 3rd after 2 out, no impression on leading pair
led to 2 out, soon switched left, reminder and kept on same pace flat
Defi Du Seuil made a winning reappearance at Cheltenham and got the better of UN DES SCEAUX in an epic battle for the Tingle Creek at Sandown last month. Though there is no apparent reason why the form should be reversed, it is worth noting that the Mullins’ veteran won this in 2018 and connections have not shied away from a rematch. Janika was only fourth at Sandown and comes up short at this level over 2m while Capeland was a disappointing favourite at Kempton when stepping out of handicap company. Marracudja won the Castleford at Wetherby last month but has a mountain to climb against these off level weights
Capeland (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, disputing 2nd 5th, pushed along after 4 out, dropped to 3rd 3 out, driven and no extra in 4th between last 2, 4th of 5, 6 3/4l behind Bun Doran (11-0) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Defi Du Seuil (FR) 2-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, driven to challenge between last 2, led after last, soon ridden, kept on, all out to hold on near finish, won at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Un De Sceaux (11-7) by nk, 8 ran.
Janika (FR) 9-4fav (11-0) Chased leader, every chance 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 6, 6 3/4l behind Summerville Boy (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Marracudja (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Prominent, led 3rd, drew clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Hawk High (11-0) by 11l, 7 ran.
Un De Sceaux (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Led to 1st, tracked leader, led again before 3 out, driven when strongly pressed between last 2, headed after last, soon ridden, rallied towards finish, just held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Defi Du Seuil (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec.