struggling 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off
held up, headway 3rd to track winner, ridden after 3 out, ran on strongly final 50 yards, just failed
made all, jumped left, hard-ridden approaching 2 out, all out
chased leaders, struggling 7th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, held when hit 2 out
Nonrunner
Bleu Superbe does not win too often these days but he is back on a very handy mark and can take this from Lord Henry and Daldini. Venetia Williams has her string in great nick and Bleu Superbe enjoys this track, is 5lb below each of his last three wins, and loves a sound surface, so he gets the vote. Lord Henry has rather gone off the boil since a c&d success here in March and he looks to be in the handicapper's grip despite some solid previous form. Daldini is the big danger to the selection. He acts on any ground and the drop back in trip should be no problem. He generally jumps well and his yard are also going well still, so he is respected. Demi Beau is probably best of the others, but Venetia Williams can take this for a second year in succession, this time with Bleu Superbe.
Demi Beau 100-1 (11-7) Held up, blundered 8th, struggling 4 out, 7th of 8, 45l behind Twist Magic (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) sft.
Lord Henry (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Keen, held up, headway to lead 7th, mistake 9th, ridden and headed when mistake 2 out, weakened, 4th of 10, 20l behind The Wicketkeeper (10-10) at Ascot 2m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gf in Nov.
Bleu Superbe (FR) 14-1 (10-6) In rear until blundered and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Hoo La Baloo (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Allumee 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 8th, led briefly 4 out, soon ridden, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Livingonaknifedge (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Charlton Kings (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Chased leader until jumped slowly 8th, soon lost place, 5th of 10, 26l behind Hoo La Baloo (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov.
Daldini 4-1 (10-9) Held up, not fluent 10th, shaken up 12th, progress after 3 out, led 2 out, edged left before last, hung right and headed flat, one pace, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Big Rob (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Nov.