held up in touch, mistake 3rd, not fluent 5 out, soon lost place, rallying when blundered and unseated rider next
held up in rear, took closer order halfway, chased leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, keen, blundered 11th, every chance when fell last
led until 4 out, led again next, strongly challenged when left clear at last, stayed on strongly
tracked leader, led 4 out, headed next, weakened 2 out, left in modest 2nd at last
held up towards rear, mistakes, stayed on into modest 3rd, never on terms
This has proved something of a benefit race for Paul Nicholls with the trainer winning the last six renewals. Several of those winners hailed from France and and so does new recruit Magic Saint, who has won four times at Auteuil including a couple of chases. He can’t be ignored but ACTIVIAL just missed out at Stratford on his recent reappearance and debut for Tom George and gets the nod to go one better having won off higher marks in the past. Crucial Role doesn’t look as well treated having his first start for Dan Skelton and Full Glass is having only his second outing since joining Alan King. Kalondra has plenty of ability but his jumping has let him down of late and River Wylde may prove a bigger threat on his return having undergone wind surgery since finishing runner-up at Cheltenham at this time last year.
Full Glass (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, headway 5 out, chased winner when not fluent 3 out, one pace in 3rd between last 2, soon ridden, no impression with front pair before last, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Value At Risk (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Kalondra (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Held up behind, blundered and unseated rider 5 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
River Wylde (IRE) Evensfav (11-2) Chased front pair, outpaced 4 out, soon lost touch, plugged on to take modest 2nd near finish, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 3, 18l behind North Hill Harvey (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Activial (FR) 9-4fav (12-1) Tracked leaders, shaken up normal 3 out, went 2nd last bend, closed bypassing omitted last, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Cobra De Mai (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Magic Saint (FR) (11-0) 5th of 7, dist behind Ebene Du Breuil (10-5) at Auteuil 2m 6f sft in Apr.
Crucial Role 66-1 (11-5) In touch, hit 8th, lost place after 3 out, behind and weakened next, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.