jumped badly left throughout, tracked leader, led 2nd (water), went badly left and headed 6th, chased winner, led again 8th, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leading pair, went 2nd approaching 5th, led 6th until 8th, chased leader, led again and went left 2 out, ridden out
led until blundered and headed 2nd (water), tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, blundered next, lost 2nd approaching 5th, outpaced before 4 out, soon lost touch, tailed off
L'Ami Serge won twice over fences last season and was placed in Grade 1 races at Cheltenham and Aintree. He’s a class act but lacks a recent run and could be vulnerable conceding 4lb to the up-and-coming novice LE PREZIEN. A smart novice hurdler last term, he appears to have taken really well to the larger obstacles and only had to be pushed out to land a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time. Oscar Sunset was second twice around here at the turn of the year but looks up against it in this grade.
L'Ami Serge (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, jumped slightly left mainly throughout, went 2nd from 10th, mistake 2 out, ridden before last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Arzal (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Le Prezien (FR) 8-11fav (11-2) Held up in 4th, not always fluent, headway approaching 3 out, 1/2 length 2nd when left in lead 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Hammersly Lake (11-2) by 4l, 5 ran.
Oscar Sunset (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 4 out, never on terms, 9th of 11, dist behind Onefitzall (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
