close up, mistake 14th, struggling soon after, rallied flat
jumped left throughout, led until 2 out, soon outpaced by winner, lost 2nd flat
tracked leader, reminders 11th, weakened 3 out, went 2nd flat
close up, tracked leader 3 out, led next, soon clear, comfortably
Kadount won this last year but finished tailed off behind Eleazar over C&D eight days ago. Stable companion Assassino was second in that race but, like fourth Delightful Cliché, was also well beaten by the winner and the latter pair have yet to show the same ability under Rules as between the flags. OTAGE DE BRION won two novice chases at Bangor last year and returned to winning ways in a point-to-point at Guilsborough last month. Under Gold Cup-winning amateur Sam Waley-Cohen, he should add to those successes here.
Kadount (FR) 3-1 (11-13) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, last of 6, well behind Eleazar (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gf in Apr.
Otage De Brion (FR) 6-1 (12-5) Made all; ro wl, won at Guilsborough 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Coolefind (12-5) by 1l, 9 ran.
Delightful Cliche 9-2 (11-13) Prominent, led 4 out, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 48l behind Eleazar (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gf in Apr.
Assassino (FR) 4-1 (11-7) In touch, blundered 12th, kept on from 3 out, no danger to winner, 2nd of 6, 28l behind Eleazar (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gf in Apr.