held up towards rear, not fluent and pushed along in last 8th, slow next, still rear but just about in touch 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 5th, pushed along to press leader when left in lead 2 out, driven to assert after last, stayed on well to draw clear final 100 yards
led, pushed along and still narrow advantage when fell 2 out
held up towards rear, closed on inside 4 out, traveling well 3 out, left close 2nd 2 out, stayed on flat but not pace of winner final 100 yards
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, still rear but just about in touch when blundered badly 3 out, soon outpaced and left behind, modest 6th when swerved to avoid faller 2 out, plugged on to close on 4th flat, no impression
tracked leader until after 4th, stayed well in touch, pushed along after 3 out, left close 3rd 2 out, edged right and unable to go with front pair after last, kept on same pace
mid-division, closed 6th, lost place after 3 out, no impression in 4th when swerved to avoid faller 2 out, well held after
chased leaders on outside, hit 3rd, lost place 7th, mistake 3 out, soon beaten, well held in 5th when swerved to avoid faller 2 out, weakened
in touch in mid-division on outside, not fluent 2nd and soon pulled up
Nicky Henderson was toying with the idea of taking on Douvan in tomorrow’s Champion Chase with ALTIOR but has decided to leave that battle for another day in favour of this easier option. His unbeaten novice is impossible to oppose has he has frightened away a lot of the opposition. The seven-year-old was quick and accurate at his fences when cruising to victory in the Game Spirit at Newbury last month and he’d earlier beaten today’s rival Charbel by six lengths in a Grade 1 at Sandown. Royal Caviar would probably have beaten Some Plan at Leopardstown in January had he not come down at the last but a more interesting each-way bet is Malcolm Jefferson’s Cloudy Dream, who is a strong traveller and is better off at the weights than when collared close home by Forest Bihan at Doncaster when A Hare Breath was back in third.
A Hare Breath (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led before 7th, ridden and headed before last, weakened towards finish, 3rd of 4, 6 3/4l behind Forest Bihan (11-4) at Doncaster 2m (1) gd in Jan.
Altior (IRE) (11-5) Jumped well, led to 4th, with leader, regained narrow lead 6th, drew clear on bit from 4 out, impressive, won at Newbury 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Fox Norton (11-10) by 13l, 4 ran.
Charbel (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Hit 1st, raced keenly, tracked leader, led 3 out, driven after next, just over 1 length ahead when went badly right and stumbled last, soon headed and readily outpaced run-in, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Altior (11-2) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Cloudy Dream (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led before last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Forest Bihan (11-4) at Doncaster 2m (1) gd in Jan.
Forest Bihan (FR) 7-2 (11-4) In rear and in touch, about 3 lengths down when blundered 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well to lead towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m (1) gd in Jan beating Cloudy Dream (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Ordinary World (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, closer in 4th 2 out, chased winner in 2nd from last where pecked slightly, one pace, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Min (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Royal Caviar (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leader, on terms 4th, soon led, still travelling smoothly and about a length up when fell last, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) gd in Jan.
Some Plan (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Soon led, joined 4th, soon headed and tracked leader, not fluent 5th, pushed along from before straight, about a length down when left alone last, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) gd in Jan
Three Stars (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, slightly slow 5th, slight mistake 7th, pushed along before straight, soon no impression, 5th of 7, 18 1/4l behind Min (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
