led, pushed along after 5 out, still every chance 4 out, lost lead 3 out, weakened
in touch on inner, pushed along before 3 out, fell 2 out
midfield, headway before home turn, slow jump 5 out, weakened
tracked leader, led going well 3 out, still in control last, denied on post
held up on inside, pushed along before 5 out, not a factor
in rear, headway before 5 out, progress on outside and clear third 3 out, jumped into second final fence, stayed on well to lead line
Zambezi Fix kept on for pressure behind Funambule Sivola over 2m here last month and finished 20 lengths ahead of third Arian, who is only 3lb better off. Duc De Beauchene should be capable of better but Collooney has lost his way. LE CAMELEON (NAP) won well over course and distance in January and was in the front rank when falling at Wincanton last month. With a clear round, he can recoup losses back here as Stratagem’s jumping went to pieces at Sandown after a first-fence blunder and he may need a confidence-booster.
Stratagem (FR) 18-1 (11-10) Prominent when blundered badly and lost place 1st, behind and not recover, tailed off and pulled up after 6th, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Le Cameleon 13-8fav (11-4) Led 2nd until 4th, led 7th, soon headed, led 8th, fell 11th, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Collooney (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) In rear, pushed along 5 out, no impression, pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Zambezi Fix (FR) 13-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, mistake 5 out, went 2nd from 4 out, stayed on but unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Funambule Sivola (11-0) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Arian (IRE) 10-3 (10-10) Held up in 4th, no impression 5 out, went well held 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 21 1/2l behind Funambule Sivola (11-0) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Duc De Beauchene (FR) 6-1 (10-10) In rear, awkward 1st, moved into 3rd place 5th, back in rear 6th, awkward 10th, lost touch before 4 out, blundered badly 3 out, tailed off 2 out, no extra, last of 4, dist behind High Up In The Air (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Feb.