tracked leader, challenged 4 out, shaken after 3 out, ridden to lead before last, edged left and went clear flat
jumped slightly left at times, led, not fluent 5th, shaken up and pressed 4 out, ridden after 3 out, headed before last, beaten flat
always last, struggling from 4th, tailed off 9th, mistake 11th
CLAN DES OBEAUX needs forgiving a poor run when favourite for the Scilly Isles’ at Sandown but an earlier half-length second to RSA Chase runner-up Whisper at Cheltenham reads well and he should have too much for Drumlee Sunset if back on song. Philip Hobbs’ novice has been beaten twice in handicaps since winning on his chasing bow here in the autumn. Oscars Way is now 0-12 over fences and hasn’t been getting any closer.
Clan Des Obeaux (FR) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, mistake and lost place 6th, last pair, mistake and dropped to last 9th, reminder after 10th, rallied 12th, weakened 3 out, last of 5, dist behind Top Notch (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb.
Drumlee Sunset (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Tracked leader, led 4th, mistake 2 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Aso (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Oscars Way (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Towards rear, weakened before 17th, left remote 4th from 2 out, 4th of 10, dist behind Jack Snipe (10-1) at Taunton 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Dec.