led until 2nd, chased winner until 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
always towards rear
led 2nd, made rest, hit last, kept on strongly, edged left near finish, driven out
held up, hit 2nd, ridden and headway after 3 out, disputed 4th next, soon weakened
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge next, switched left approaching last, kept on but always held by winner
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, hit 3rd, headway 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
in touch, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace
blundered 2nd, hit 5th, mainly towards rear
keen in touch, went 3rd approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, never threatened leaders
in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, blundered last
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, went 3rd approaching last, kept on
Nonrunner
It's hard to get away from Franchoek; he may have most to fear from Celestial Halo and Songe. The selection is not unlike last year's winner and this year's Champion Hurdle hero Katchit in that he just keeps galloping and pulling out more. He has improved with every outing since his debut defeat at Market Rasen and has long been many people's idea of the Cheltenham banker. He hurdles well, has track form, has his ground, couldn't be in better hands and there is no reason to desert him. Celestial Halo was in a different league to Franchoek on the level and has the potential to be a very smart performer in this sphere. A reproduction of his debut performance would make him a serious danger but he produced some disappointing performances in the summer and another at Doncaster last time. Connections have put forward reasons for that defeat but there's sufficient doubt to oppose him. Songe is probably playing for place money at best but he has created a decent impression in winning both starts since arriving from France and is a serious talent. He needs to take another step forwards to trouble the main protagonists but he looks capable of getting into the mix. Five Dream may be the yard's second string but shouldn't be underestimated, the Irish challenge is headed by Beau Michael and Silverhand with the latter having more scope for improvement but they haven't done enough to earn the vote ahead of our selection, Franchoek.
Beau Michael 6-4fav (11-3) Made virtually all, joined briefly 3 out, ridden before next, strongly pressed approaching last, kept on well, swished tail, won at Fairyhouse 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 gs in Feb beating Silverhand (11-0) by 3l, 9 ran.
Callisto Moon 33-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden, every chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 22, 12l behind Ashkazar (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd.
Celestial Halo (IRE) 2-5fav (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Sentry Duty (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Five Dream (FR) 7-2fav (10-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on, never able to mount a challenge, 7th of 24, 8l behind Wingman (10-0) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Franchoek (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) Promient, led 4th, ridden clear last, kept on well, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan beating Serabad (11-4) by 6l, 11 ran.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 150-1 (10-13) Always behind, tailed off, 19th of 22, well behind Captain Cee Bee (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs.
Personal Column 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 2nd and challenged approaching last where on terms when mistake, narrowly headed run-in, rallied well to lead near line, won at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb beating Won In The Dark (11-0) by a shd, 8 ran.
Serabad (FR) 6-5fav (11-4) Chased leader, led approaching last, driven out flat, won at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb beating Pagan Starprincess (10-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Silverhand (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders, close 7th 3 out, progress on inner to go 2nd before next, challenged before last, ridden and no extra run-in, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Beau Michael (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 gs in Feb.
Songe (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, hit last, stayed on under pressure to lead last strides, won at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb beating Chord (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Special Day (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Not fluent 1st, held up mid-division, weakened 3 out, 8th of 11, 38l behind Binocular (11-5) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Star Of Angels 12-1 (10-7) In touch, headway to track leaders 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on but held by winner, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Harry Tricker (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Temlett (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Prominent, progress to dispute lead briefly 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 6th of 9, 42l behind Beau Michael (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 gs in Feb.
Won In The Dark (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, led early straight, strongly pressed and joined last, regained narrow lead run-in, kept on well, headed near line, 2nd of 8, shd behind Personal Column (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Diego Velasquez (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Soon led, headed 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 7l behind Arctic Wings (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
