led until jumped slowly and blundered 1st, dropped to rear, went 2nd 3 out, ridden after next, every chance run-in, not quicken
tracked leaders, quickly pulled up after 2nd (lame)
with leader, led 3rd, blundered 7th, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened 3 out
left in lead 1st, headed 3rd, led again 4 out, shaken up after last, readily
Saintsaire can make up for lost time by making a winning debut over fences, with Brown Teddy, Cumbrian Knight and Dollar Law taken to follow him home. With Nicky Henderson coming back to form with a bang at the Festival, hopes are high that Saintsare can keep up the good work. The sky was the limit for this fellow when he embarked on a career over timber, but he never really fulfilled his potential, despite taking on top company. He has not been seen since finishing third to Copeland in last year's Scottish Champion Hurdle and will obviously come on for the outing, but he has been working exceptionally well at Seven Barrows and his class should see him through against these more exposed sorts. Brown Teddy was not in the same league as the selection over hurdles but does have a lot more experience over the bigger obstacles and should get round safely. He is narrowly preferred over Cumbrian Knight who never troubled Fool On The Hill at Doncaster last time. Dollar Law has done well to even get back on the racetrack after suffering a bad tendon injury here two years ago. All out to score at Leicester, he then tried in vain to make all over further at Chepstow and faded to third. The shorter trip will suit him, but he and the rest have a mountain to climb to stop Saintsaire from justifying favouritism.
Brown Teddy 6-4fav Led, headed 6th, mistake 8th and 9th, every chance and jumped left 2 out, driven and jumped left last, no impression flat, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Haafel at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (D) sft.
Dollar Law 16-1 Led 3rd, hit 12th, headed next, ridden and weakened 3 out, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Harapour at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 6-1 Held up, hampered 10th, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on but no impression, 2nd of 7, 15l behind Fool On The Hill at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (E) gd.
Saintsaire (FR) 7-2jt-fav Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Copeland at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Tunes Of Glory (IRE) 9-1 Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden last, edged right flat, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 1f beg chs (D) gd beating Tonic Du Charmil by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
