bit keen, led, ridden headed and hit last, stayed on same pace run-in
tracked leading trio, went 3rd before 3 out, ridden and outpaced between last 2, hit last, no chance with 1st 2
tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 4th, led approaching and not fluent last, kept on run-in
raced wide, chased leader until after 4th, lost 3rd before next (3 out), soon weakened
held up in last pair, mistake and dropped to rear 4th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up in last pair, never on terms, weakened 3 out, tailed off
PACIFIC DE BAUNE has twice won easily at Newbury and probably found the ground too testing when strongly fancied for the Grade 2 Ballymore Classic at Cheltenham in January won by stable companion Santorini. He faces a couple of smart four-year-olds here but should be capable of conceding the weight. Oistrakh Le Noir won over hurdles in France and at Market Rasen in February before just failing to hold off Mister Chow in a handicap at Newbury where a last-flight error didn't help. Act Of Valour has been very highly tried since making a successful hurdling debut in a very competitive race at Newcastle and ran well for a long way in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham. The remaining trio look out of it.
Pacific De Baune (FR) 4-11fav (11-6) Keen, tracked leader, led 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Mar beating Article Fifty (11-0) by 12l, 6 ran.
Oistrakh Le Noir (FR) 11-10fav (11-9) Held up tracking leaders on inside, smooth headway tracking leaders before 3 out, led on bit 2 out, blundered last, soon headed, rallied run-in, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Mister Chow (11-9) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Act Of Valour 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden 2 out, close up on last bend, 6th and no extra last, weakened flat, 9th of 22, 15 3/4l behind Veneer Of Charm (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Chimes Of Dylan (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Always behind, mistake 2nd, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Ok Corral (11-10) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.
Relight The Fire 150-1 (11-2) Jumped left 3rd, always behind, 9th of 11, dist behind Havana Beat (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Mar.
By Rail 40-1 (10-7) Took keen hold in rear, blundered badly 3 out, well behind after, 10th of 15, dist behind Starcrossed (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m (4) sft in Feb.
