led, hit 3 out and headed, led again next, blundered last, held on bravely
tracked leaders, mistake and last 7th, hit next when losing touch, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leader, not fluent 9th (water), challenging when stumbled 4 out, led just after 3 out, headed next, hit last, stayed on bravely, just held
took keen hold, held up, went 3rd 5th, closed 3 out, unable to quicken from 2 out, well held flat
tracked leaders, mistake 5th and last briefly, reminders after 12th, outpaced from next, soon behind
Only POQUELIN is racing from his correct weight here and Paul Nicholls' grand servant can return to winning ways over a track and trip he knows so well. Already a winner four times here, he may not be quite the force of old though he ran well enough in the Ryanair last time to suggest he is still up to winning in this grade. Holmwood Legend did brilliantly to take the Byrne Group Plate at The Festival but a 10lb rise in the weights plus the fact he's 10lb out of the handicap gives him a daunting task. Last year's Jewson winner Copper Bleu has produced two poor performances subsequently but he's a very talented individual at his best while De Boitron ran well in the Grand Annual and his rider's claim helps offset the weight disadvantage.
Poquelin (FR) 2-1fav (11-10) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden after 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied approaching 2 out, pressing for places approaching last, one pace flat, 4th of 11, 8l behind Albertas Run (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Copper Bleu (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Towards rear, hit 5th, hampered next, struggling 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Act Of Kalanisi (10-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Holmwood Legend 25-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led soon after, 3 lengths clear when mistake last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar beating Aimigayle (10-6) by 3 1/2l, 20 ran.
De Boitron (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, chased leaders under pressure after next, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure flat to go 4th near finish, never reached leaders, 4th of 23, 12l behind Oiseau de Nuit (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Pigeon Island 14-1 (10-8) Mistake 1st and 2nd, behind, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 9th of 23, 24l behind Oiseau de Nuit (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Matuhi 16-1 (10-9) Held up behind, headway into mid-division when hampered 4 out, chased leaders before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 20, 13l behind Holmwood Legend (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
