held up in last pair in touch, headway 5 out, close up and going well on outside when not fluent 3 out, soon chased winner and ridden, one pace and well held next, stayed on to regain 2nd near finish, no chance with impressive winner
held up in last pair in touch, headway 5 out, outpaced next, beaten when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
pressed winner, mistake 4 out, lost place after next, one pace in 4th 2 out, soon ridden, no impression after
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden and no impression from next
chased leaders, lost place 5 out, soon outpaced, ridden after next, weakened before 2 out
raced keenly, held up in touch, dropped toward rear but still in touch 5 out, outpaced 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, ridden to take narrow 2nd when rider dropped whip approaching last, no chance with winner, kept on same pace, lost 2nd near finish
made virtually all, pushed clear before 2 out, in no danger after, stayed on strongly, driven out flat, impressive
This has cut up a little with a few no doubt frightened off by the presence of VAUTOUR. Successful in last year's Supreme Novices', Willie Mullins' charge also won over 2m4f at Punchestown later so stamina isn't an issue and his only blip so far over fences was when he made a bad mistake in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown just after Christmas and was unable to make up the ground lost. If he puts in a clear round, he should have too much speed for these. Stablemate Valseur Lido was well behind in the Supreme Novices' but has also taken well to fences. However, he was turned over by Apache Stronghold at Leopardstown last time in a race in which The Tullow Tank was only fourth. Noel Meade's charge may be the danger as Ptit Zig possibly lacks the scope of some of these and took a heavy fall last time at Ascot. Colour Squadron is one of the most frustrating horses in training but he has bags of ability and it would be no surprise to see A P McCoy urge him into a place at decent odds.
Apache Stronghold (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, 8th halfway, mistake 8th, closer 2 out, progress to challenge last, soon led, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G1 (1) in Feb beating Valseur Lido (11-10) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Colour Squadron (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) In rear and in touch, went 3rd from 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Wakanda (11-4) at Haydock 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Irish Saint (FR) Evensfav (11-7) Made all, 2 lengths ahead and going strongly when left in command 12th, clear when bad mistake 3 out, pushed out run-in, eased towards finish, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb beating Hollow Penny (11-4) by 10l, 5 ran.
Ptit Zig (FR) 6-4fav (11-7) Tracked leader until 5th, tracked leading pair, fell 9th, in a race won by Balder Succes (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f chs G1 (1) sft in Feb, 5 ran.
Splash of Ginge 7-1 (11-4) Chased leading trio, hung left on paddock bend and lost placed after 6th, jumped slowly next, lost touch 10th, pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Gitane Du Berlais (10-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) sft in Jan, 5 ran.
Tango De Juilley (FR) 10-11fav (11-5) Raced keenly, made all, in command from after 2 out, stayed on well and came clear run-in, won at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) sft in Feb beating Mountain King (10-12) by 11l, 4 ran.
Valseur Lido (FR) 5-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, went 3rd 3 out, progress to lead entering straight, headed early run-in, kept on under pressure, no impression on winner close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Apache Stronghold (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G1 (1) in Feb.
Vautour (FR) 1-5fav (11-5) Made all, jumped left at 2nd and 4th, not fluent 7th, travelling well 2 out, on bridle when left well clear at last unchallenged, won at Leopardstown 2m 3f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Jan beating Aladdins Cave (11-5) by well, 3 ran.
The Tullow Tank (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, 4th 2 out, no impression and left 4th last, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 9l behind Apache Stronghold (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G1 (1) in Feb.
