not fluent, made most until after 6th, soon started hanging right, winner clear from 4 out, 3rd and weakening from 3 out, dropped to 4th flat
prominent, led briefly 2nd, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
not always fluent, held up in rear, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten 3 out, went modest 3rd flat
chased leaders, disputing 2nd and winner clear 4 out, well held from 3 out, kept on in clear 2nd from 2 out
jumped well, raced keenly, chased leaders, led after 6th, clear 4 out, impressive
Buddy Rich has only found one too good in three runs over fences to date while Sir Tivo has won four of 11 chase starts so far. Third Time Lucki was a useful novice hurdler last season and should jump fences but he’s had three runs around here and only placed once, when a short-priced favourite. He did, however, finish 17 lengths ahead of FIDELIO VALLIS on that occasion and is 8lb better off. The latter, though, has already taken well to the larger obstacles and gave a bold sight last time at Chepstow behind the potentially-smart Tea Clipper. Any News was only beaten a neck at Warwick last month but the winner has been beaten since.
Fidelio Vallis (FR) 11-4jfav (11-3) Led, hit 3rd, not fluent 4 out and 2 out, pressed and ridden before last, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Tea Clipper (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f lst (1) gd in Oct.
Sir Tivo (FR) Evensfav (11-12) Edgy start, led until after 2nd, chased leader who went clear after 5th, closer at 8th, led again 3 out, joined next and last, stayed on to assert towards finish, won at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Away At Dawn (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
Any News (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Raced wide, keen tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, headed next, ridden and ran on, 2nd of 5, nk behind Beyond The Clouds (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Buddy Rich (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Prominent, disputed until headed 4th, not fluent 6th, mistake 8th, pushed along when not fluent 3 out, ridden and no impression after next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Cape Gentleman (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 1f gd in Oct.
Third Time Lucki (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-4) Mid-division on inside, headway 5th, close 4th when mistake last, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 14 1/2l behind Belfast Banter (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
