led after 1st, headed before 3 out, no chance with front pair after, lost moderate 3rd before last
tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 3 out, led soon after, drew clear on bit before next, unextended, impressive
led to after 1st, tracked leader, led again before 3 out, ridden and headed soon after, well held in clear 2nd when mistake next, no chance with winner
held up in last pair, reminders after 3rd, ridden and outpaced by leading trio after 4 out, plugged on to take moderate 3rd before last
held up in last pair, lost touch before 4 out, continued tailed off
Vision Des Flos runs in the same colours as last year’s winner Finian’s Oscar. His saddle slipped last time when beaten by the useful Paisley Park at Hereford and he’s been keeping good company but may find one too good again in the shape of DJINGLE. Paul Nicholls’ French import was impressive when landing a Listed hurdle at Auteuil in November and could be anything. Mercenaire won here by 25 lengths in November and was far from disgraced in a Grade 1 at Chepstow subsequently while Solo Saxophone defends an unbeaten record over timber, though this is easily his toughest task to date.
Djingle (FR) (10-7) won at Auteuil 2m 2f lst Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Go For De Houelle (10-5) by 6l, 6 ran.
Vision Des Flos (FR) 1-4fav (10-12) Tracked front pair, challenged 3 out, led next, driven and hard pressed between last 2, headed when stumbled and saddle slipped on landing after last, not recover and held flat, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Paisley Park (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Mercenaire (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Made most until 3 out, outpaced by front pair from 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 5, 12 1/2l behind We Have A Dream (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Solo Saxophone (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Held up in rear, headway before 2 out, ridden to chase leader last, kept on to lead run-in, won at Wetherby 2m (4) hvy in Jan beating Titan (10-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dartmoor Girl (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, lost place when ridden after 4 out, behind from next, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Vaziani (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) sft in Dec.
