made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well to draw clear flat
held up in 4th, mistake 14th, lost touch approachging 4 out, tailed off when fell 2 out
held up in 3rd, not fluent 10th or 12th, mistake 14th, closed to chase winner soon after 2 out, just over 2 lengths down last, ridden and no impression
chased winner, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, lost 2nd soon after 2 out, weakened approaching last
Just the four runners line up for this event which looks little more than a match between Battlecry and ORNAIS with the latter given the vote and taken to give Paul Nicholls another winner. The selection had a good first season over fences last term before ultimately disappointing when possibly not lasting out the four miles in the National Hunt Chase at the festival. The yard's runners are in good form at present so lack of a recent run need not be of concern and Ornais is taken to make a winning return. Bob Buckler's Niche Market is capable but he has yet to win a race and that trend is unlikely to change, while Le Toscan has disappointed in both starts since joining the yard of Michael Scudamore. Nigel Twiston-Davies has a good record at this meeting and his runner Battlecry, who finished third in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase last term has an obvious chance on that form but he does tend to find at least one too good and preference is for Ornais.
Ornais (FR) 9-2fav (12-0) Held up, ridden and effort 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 20, 13l behind Old Benny (11-7) at Cheltenham 4m nov amt chs (2) gs in Mar.
Le Toscan (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 4th of 6, 6l behind Faasel (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f chs (2) hvy.
Battlecry 11-2 (11-0) Led, hit 9th, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Big Buck's (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Niche Market (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, 9th approaching 4 out, soon no impression under pressure, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by Arbor Supreme (9-10) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 gd in Apr, 24 ran.
