led, headed before 4 out, ridden before next, outpaced before 2 out, plugged on to take 2nd place run-in, no impression
with leader, led before 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, mistake and weakened from 9th, pulled up after next
in rear and in touch, pushed along before 8th, weakened from 10th
in touch, led before 2 out, clear before last
TENOR NIVERNAIS was a revelation returning to this trip at Ascot. Jumping superbly, he had his race won a long way from home and has plenty in hand on these rivals according to official ratings. Le Mercurey appeared to run a blinder behind Native River at Newbury but all of his winning form is over much shorter and he was seven lengths behind the selection at Ascot in December. Bernardelli weakened quickly in a lesser race here last time and is another better over shorter but Seldom Inn stays well and should win more races over fences when he has his sights lowered.
Tenor Nivernais (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Raced keenly, tracked leader 2nd, led after 4th, set strong pace and soon clear, hit 12th, never in any danger from 15th, stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb beating Go Conquer (10-6) by 30l, 7 ran.
Le Mercurey (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked winner, challenged 4 out, 1 length down last, soon ridden, well held flat, 2nd of 3, 3 1/4l behind Native River (11-6) at Newbury 2m 7f (1) sft in Feb.
Bernardelli (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Led, headed 12th, blundered 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 4, dist behind Saphir Du Rheu (10-13) at Kelso 2m 7f (2) hvy in Feb.
Lowanbehold (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Prominent, lost place before 3 out, left 3rd from last, never dangerous, 3rd of 7, 15 1/4l behind The Orange Rogue (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Seldom Inn 3-1 (11-8) In rear and in touch, in 3rd and going well when fell 3 out, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
