led, tried to quicken before 2 out, headed 2 out, chased winner, ridden and readily outpaced between last 2
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3rd, led 2 out, quickened clear between last 2, well in command when mistake last, easily
took keen hold, tracked leader until 3rd, tracked leading pair, closing and every chance when fell 2 out
A small but select field for this Grade 2 which usually produces a smart novice and this year's renewal looks well up to scratch. Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty sent out Volnay De Thaix to finish second in last year's renewal and L'AMI SERGE can go one better. He won the Gerry Feilden on the bridle at Newbury on his first appearance in this country and can go on to better things. Emerging Talent made Henderson's subsequent winner Vyta Du Roc work hard for victory in this grade at Cheltenham last month and won't go down without a fight getting 7lb from the selection and Willie Mullins' well-regarded Clonmel winner Killultagh Vic. Gunner Fifteen won by 16 lengths at Uttoxeter but this is a huge step up in class.
Killultagh Vic (IRE) 1-4fav (11-12) Led and disputed, slight mistake 1st, keen hold to lead before 5th, slight mistake 6 out, asserted after 2 out, slight mistake last, easily, won at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Nov beating Virtuoso Rouge (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
L'Ami Serge (IRE) 9-4fav (10-7) Held up in 6th, smooth headway on inside approaching 3 out, travelling well in close 3rd when hit 2 out, led between last two, clear when flattened last, eased in closing stages, won at Newbury 2m Lstd hcp hdl 0-155 (1) sft in Nov beating Kilcooley (10-8) by 6l, 8 ran.
Emerging Talent (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Led, mistake 2 out, driven approaching last, joined flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Vyta Du Roc (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Gunner Fifteen (IRE) 1-2fav (10-9) Raced keenly, made all, clear before 3rd until approaching 4th, clear again approaching next, hit 3 out, soon well in command, hit last, unchallenged, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Detank (10-12) by 16l, 7 ran.
