Sponsors have been rewarded with an above-average turn out for this year's renewal and it could turn out to be a useful contest. TATENEN is our idea of the winner but it would be no surprise to see the likes of Like A Duke and Asudo show up well. A note of caution is sounded as Paul Nicholls has saddled the last four favourites in this race and all four have been beaten, two of them at odds-on. Tatenen has relatively little experience but has also been spoken of in glowing terms and has always been regarded as a chaser in the making. He was put away after disappointing behind Franchoek here in January but we could see a different horse this afternoon. The Tizzard team has started the season strongly and Like A Duke is an interesting contender on his chase bow. A relatively expensive purchase after impressively winning a maiden hurdle at Limerick this former point-to-pointer has the potential to make up into a useful chaser. Oh Crick and Asudo landed moderate contests on their chase bows but both appeal as having the potential to rank a little higher and merit consideration along with The Package who had the look of a chaser last year. The three at the top of the weights have experience in their favour but are likely to need fortune to be on their side in order to land this contest. He may not appeal as a betting proposition but Tatenen receives the vote.
Chrysander 3-1 (11-12) Close up, joined leader 3 out, led 2 out, hard pressed flat, kept on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gf in Sept beating Cortinas (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Led, clear approaching 6th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, not fluent last, 5th of 9, 34l behind Will The Till (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Premier Dane (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) Tracked leader, challenged when bumped 2 out, soon led, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Perth 2m nov chs (4) gd in Jul beating Franc Villez (11-8) by 4l, 5 ran.
Asudo (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Raced keenly, in touch, went 2nd 6th, led and mistake 2 out, stayed on well, won at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Sept beating Kit Carson (10-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
Oh Crick (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching last, led flat, just held on, won at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) gd in May beating Sninfia (10-2) by a shd, 8 ran.
Poquelin (FR) 1-5fav (10-12) Made all, drew clear from 3 out, unchallenged, won at N Abbot 2m nov chs (4) gf in May beating Popcorn Rosie (10-2) by 20l, 7 ran.
French Saulaie (FR) 13-8fav (11-2) Took keen hold, chased clear leader after 1st, left in lead 4th, headed last, one pace flat, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Albinus (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gs.
Like A Duke (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Prominent, led from 3rd, made rest, travelling well entering straight, ridden from 2 out, eased close home, easily, won at Limerick 2m 5yo mdn hdl gd in May beating Trafalgar Day (11-12) by 10l, 17 ran.
Roman Villa (USA) 11-8fav (12-0) Raced keenly, held up, steady headway 3 out, led last, ridden and kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Nicki Boy (10-12) at Perth 2m clm hdl (5) gs in Sept.
The Package 16-1 (11-4) Chased leader to 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Naiad du Misselot (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Chaninbar (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Slowly away, held up, hit 2nd, closed 4th, went 2nd 6th, not fluent 7th or 3 out, challenging when blundered 2 out, slight lead last, soon headed, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Albinus (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3.
Tatenen (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Led until 4th, with winner, ridden after 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 11, 28l behind Franchoek (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
