with leader, led before 2 out, clear before last, kept on strongly
led and jumped left, headed before 2 out, kept on and no impression on winner
tracked leaders in 3rd and in rear, outpaced after 5 out
SAPHIR DU RHEU should be wining this with a clear round. Paul Nicholl's high-class chaser landed the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree in great style in April and this should put him spot on for the Hennessy at Newbury later in the month. The Young Master has also shown ability over fences and won a Listed event at Ascot in December while the more exposed Midnight Belle is a decent handicapper but outmatched in this company.
Saphir Du Rheu (FR) 13-8fav (11-4) Always prominent, led narrowly 4 out, drew clear after 2 out, unchallenged after, stayed on well, impressive, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gd in Apr beating Carraig Mor (11-4) by 15l, 9 ran.
The Young Master 11-2 (11-4) Made most, headed before 11th, chased leader, blundered 13th (water), lost place 5 out, outpaced after next, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Don Poli (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Midnight Belle 10-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway after 10th, ridden next, outpaced before 13th, soon behind, tailed off, 5th of 9, dist behind Seventh Sky (11-8) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
