reluctant to race, soon detatched in rear, jumped right and tried to refuse throughout, stayed on to go remote 4th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led on bit 2 out, soon clear, impressive
held up in rear but in touch, ridden and weakened before 4 out
tracked leader, led before 3 out, driven and headed before next, weakened before last
held up in rear but in touch, weakened 4th, soon beaten
led until before 3 out, weakened next
SPIRIT SON won a Listed hurdle at Auteuil on his introduction and followed that up with an effortless success under a penalty at Huntingdon on his first start for Nicky Henderson. It will take a good effort to lower his colours here, though Cedre Bleu made a good start to his career in this country when beating hot favourite Titan de Sarti at Newbury last month and is open to further improvement. Battle Group looks the pick of David Pipe's trio but hasn't raced since finishing down the field over a much longer trip at Cheltenham in October. Lady Willa's wins in minor company at Folkestone and Leicester leave her with plenty to find here.
Battle Group 6-1fav (10-8) Mid-division, headway on inside approaching 3 out, chased leading pair 2 out until after last, ridden and one pace when hung left flat, 4th of 14, 5l behind Amber Brook (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Spirit Son (FR) 8-13fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, led going well 2 out, not extended, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan beating Sivola De Sivola (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Monopole (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Pulled hard in rear, tailed off 3 out, last of 14, well behind Shammick Boy (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Cedre Bleu (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Mostly jumped well, chased leader, not fluent 4th, led on inside after 4 out, in command from 2 out, ridden clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m 4yo hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Titan De Sarti (10-12) by 10l, 4 ran.
Street Entertainer (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Raced in mid-division on inside, not fluent 2 out, plugged on same pace after, 5th of 14, 14l behind Pateese (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Lady Willa (IRE) 11-8fav (9-11) Tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, led 6th, clear approaching 2 out, eased final 100 yards, won at Leicester 2m nov clm hdl (5) hvy beating Starburst (10-10) by 25l, 7 ran.
