in rear, outpaced before 3 out, left remote 3rd 2 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 7th until before 4 out, pushed along before and left 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner
tracked winner early, in 4th when fell 7th
made all, quickened clear before 3 out, readily
held up in touch, went 2nd before 4 out, about 4 lengths down when fell 3 out
The useful mare Stephanie Frances clipped the heels of the eventual winner and came down between fences at Leicester a week ago. Providing that has not left its mark, she is likely to do better here. This looks much too short for Regal Encore but he will be interesting when given a test of stamina. Cousin Khee has won bumpers, hurdles, all weather handicaps and also scored on turf on the Flat but this is another new challenge, while Qewy, a useful novice over hurdles last season, will need to jump better than he did at Cheltenham if he is to make his mark over the larger obstacles. VANITEUX (NAP) was not quite in the top bracket over hurdles but was very useful and finished third to Vautour in the 2014 Supreme Novices'. He could be a force over fences and can make a winning start.
Cousin Khee 11-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 8th of 22, 16 1/2l behind Litigant (9-10) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Qewy (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Held up in 3rd, not fluent 7th, effort to press leaders when edged left 2f out, every chance when awkward last, no impression flat, last of 3, 4l behind Rock The World (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
Regal Encore (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, closed 5th, nudged along and outpaced from 8th, weakened 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 5, 28l behind Garde La Victoire (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Vaniteux (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, 24l behind Jezki (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Stephanie Frances (IRE) 4-5fav (10-7) Tracked winner, going well when clipped heels and fell on bend after 5 out, at Leicester 2m (3) gf in Nov.
