close 3rd, bad mistake 7th, went 2nd before 2 out (normal 3 out), led next, came clear turning in, stayed on well
led until 2nd, chased leader until led again 7th, headed last (normal 2 out), stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
off the pace in rear, outpaced and lost touch 4th, went moderate 3rd turning in
raced in 4th, weakened before 2 out (normal 3 out)
tracked leader, led 2nd until 7th, lost 2nd before 2 out (normal 3 out) weakened and lost moderate 3rd turning in
CHRISTOPHER WOOD failed to land the odds on his sole start over fences back in 2021 but he’s had wind surgery since last seen over hurdles. Rated 142 over the smaller obstacles, he’s a fascinating runner in this as fitness won’t be an issue. Feuille De Lune won four times between the flags and landed the odds in a hunter chase at Cheltenham last April. She’s since joined an up-and-coming NH yard and should be winning soon. Grey Skies is another with plenty of scope while Saint Segal travelled strongly throughout when scoring at Chepstow and should have more to offer.
Saint Segal (FR) 7-2fav (11-11) Mid-division, steady headway 5 out, travelling strongly 3 out, led under pressure before last, kept on well run-in, won going away, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Marta Des Mottes (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Christopher Wood (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place before 9th, well beaten approaching 3 out, 12th of 21, dist behind Party Business (10-10) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Dans Le Vent (FR) 16-1 (11-4) In touch in rear, pulled up 3 out, at Leicester 2m 4f (3) gd in Dec.
Grey Skies (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, jumped right 2nd, pressed leader 8th, mistake 3 out and dropped away tamely, 7th of 11, dist behind Iron Bridge (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Feuille De Lune (FR) 4-5fav (11-8) Jumped right most of way, held up early and keen, headway chasing leaders 2nd, allowed to go on before 7th, went clear before next, in no danger after, stayed on strongly, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f (4) gd in Apr beating Kalabaloo (11-8) by 9 1/2l, 5 ran.
