held up in touch until fell 2nd
jumped right, took keen hold early, led after 1st, made rest, in command from 3 out, hit next, driven out
chased leaders, chased winner from 3rd until next, remained in 3rd place, mistake 5th, outpaced 10th, no chance after, tailed off
soon chased leaders, chased winner from 4th, tried to challenge before 3 out, held when hit 3 out, stayed on same pace after
ran in snatches, led until after 1st, chased winner until 3rd, soon dropped to last, pushed along and jumped slowly 7th, outpaced when slow next and pulled up
None of these can be discounted, but runner-up Mac Aeda has boosted CUCUMBER RUN's recent victory at Wetherby with a subsequent win so Nicky Henderson's charge gets a speculative vote. Chariot Charger and Definite Dawn were both beaten in handicaps last time and the latter has a bit to find at the weights here, but Sir Du Bearn and Trenchant opened their accounts over fences on their latest starts at this track and Lingfield respectively and both have plenty of scope for improvement.
Cucumber Run (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Often jumped left, made all, not fluent 3rd, clear 4 out, stayed on strongly from next, unchallenged, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft in Jan beating Mac Aeda (11-7) by 13l, 4 ran.
Chariot Charger (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led 1st, headed after 7th, remained in touch, not much room after 4 out, soon outpaced, 5th and no impression when hit next, weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 26l behind Micheal Flips (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Definite Dawn (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Held up behind leaders, mistake 5th, pushed along after 11th, went 3rd after 15th, chased winner 3 out, stayed on under pressure, unable to challenge, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Balthazar King (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gf in Oct.
Sir Du Bearn (FR) 4-5fav (11-0) With leader, led from 4th, clear 4 out, slight mistake last, eased towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chase (4) hvy in Jan beating Gunna Sound (11-0) by 30l, 6 ran.
Trenchant 11-8fav (11-0) Made all, came readily clear from 2 out, eased close home, won at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chase (5) sft in Jan beating Preuty Boy (10-9) by 4l, 5 ran.