held up in 4th, closed up before 9th, chased leader 2 out, led before last, stayed on strongly
not fluent, held up last, hit 4th, closed up before 9th, mistake and outpaced after next, driven and stayed on approaching 2 out, chased winner under pressure and mistake last, no impression
chased clear leaders, led narrowly 3 out, narrowly headed before next, weakened quickly 2 out
mostly disputing 2nd from 3rd, led 7th, mistake and narrowly headed 3 out, soon rallied to lead, headed under pressure before last, weakened and eased run-in, dismounted after line
led, hit 6th, not keen paddock bend soon after, headed 7th, brief effort under pressure before 9th, weakened rapidly soon after, tailed off
Crystal d' d'Ainay remains a class act and is taken to bounce back after his Cheltenham defeat behind Patriarch Express, with Royal Rosa and Monet's Garden seen as the main dangers. Most of these will be back here in March for the World Hurdle, and Crystal d'Ainay can advertise his claims by turning the tables on Patriarch Express who beat him in the Cleeve Hurdle at the end of January. Alan King's charge was disappointing then considering that he had won twice there in the past. He did have Monet's Garden, Royal Rosa and Quick behind last time though and should confirm the form over that trio, providing he adapts to this flatter track. Of those opponents mentioned, Monet's Garden remains an animal of potential and could still develop into a top stayer, while Howard Johnson is adamant that Royal Rosa is on e of the best horses in the yard and that he will come on two stone for his return. Tony McCoy is an interesting booking, and he too can take another step towards a meeting with Baracouda in the World Hurdle with a good run here. With Cheltenham just three weeks away, Crystal d'Ainay is selected to get his act together.
Crystal d'Ainay (FR) 2-1fav Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, stayed on same pace under pressure from next, 4th of 11, 9l behind Patriarch Express at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 14-1 Held up in rear, headway 7th, chased winner and every chance 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 11, 10l behind Patriarch Express at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Patriarch Express 8-1 Tracked leaders, led soon after 9th, driven before last, strongly pressed run-in, held on gamely, all out, won at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan beating Korelo by a hd, 11 ran.
Royal Rosa (FR) 10-3 Blundered 1st, held up in mid-division, driven and no impression from 3 out, 7th of 11, 20l behind Patriarch Express at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Quick 50-1 Led and soon clear, hit 9th and soon headed, weakened rapidly, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Patriarch Express at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
