took keen hold, tracked winner, pushed along and 2 lengths down when fell 10th
made all, travelling well when left clear 10th, hit 2 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged
tracked leading pair, reminders after 7th, outpaced and pushed along next, led modest 3rd and hampered 10th, went 2nd 4 out, no chance with winner
held up, fell 1st
took keen hold, held up in 4th place, not fluent 1st, left modest 2nd and hampered 10th, mistake next, no chance with winner when mistake and lost 2nd 4 out, soon lost touch, tailed off when mistake last
Winner Massagot was quite highly tried on his chasing bow and is capable of better. Cyrius Moriviere won over hurdles here in January and has already been successful between the flags so should make a chaser but Nicky Henderson is double-handed as he attempts to win this for the second year running. It’s only a year since Premier Bond made his debut over hurdles so his trainer has wasted no time putting him over fences but MIGHT BITE is preferred today given he’s is being persevered with over the larger obstacles, despite having already been beaten twice.
Cyrius Moriviere (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, challenged 2nd, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next, 9th of 16, 30l behind North Hill Harvey (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Might Bite (IRE) 1-2fav (11-2) Led, ridden and headed approaching last, every chance when landed awkwardly, not recover, 2nd of 3, 4l behind Binge Drinker (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov.
Premier Bond 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place before 3rd, not fluent 6th or 7th, closed 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, 7th of 8, dist behind Mister Miyagi (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Apr.
Primo Blue 33-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, held up in rear, headway into mid-division 4th, mistake 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 14, dist behind Tapaculo (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Winner Massagot (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, dist behind Knockgraffon (11-0) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
