tracked leader, led after 4th, hit 2 out, 1 length ahead at the last, stayed on gamely run-in
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, pushed along and lost 2nd turning in, weakened before 2 out
off the pace in last pair, headway on inside chasing leaders before 2 out, went 3d run-in, no chance with leading duo
in rear, pushed along and struggling in last pair after 3 out, never on terms
tracked leaders out wide, closer in 3rd home turn, weakened run-in
tracked leaders on inside, 3rd 3 out, went 2nd going well turning in, 1 length down when hit last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, always held
led until after 4th, chased winner until before 3 out, chased leaders outpaced after 3 out, kept on again run-in, never going pace to threaten
off the pace in last trio, hit 4th, pushed along and struggling after 4 out, tailed off
Chris Gordon sent out the winner of this two years ago and AUCUNRISQUE has done nothing but improve since making his hurdling debut at Plumpton in December. He could be even better once he learns to settle. Iceo was far too keen when only fourth at Cheltenham four weeks ago but an earlier victory here hasn’t worked out and no four-year-old has won this in 10 years. Galore Desassences has a lot to find at the weights but, like Frere D'armes, is on a hat-trick. Moriko De Vassy beat Russian Ruler fair and square at Doncaster and is 7lb better off but Shallwehaveonemore looks a bigger danger having easily landed the odds at Sandown following a fourth in the Grade 1 Tolworth.
Aucunrisque (FR) 6-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led turning in, soon shaken up and clear, stayed on strongly, won at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Essential Jaco (11-7) by 10l, 6 ran.
Frere d'Armes (FR) 2-9fav (11-8) Close up, led going well approaching 2 out, went clear last, comfortably, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) gs in Feb beating Stormin Crossgales (11-2) by 6 1/2l, 11 ran.
Galore Desassences (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Towards rear, headway into midfield 3rd, smooth headway to go prominent after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, pushed along flat, ran on strongly, won at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating John Betjeman (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 14 ran.
Moriko De Vassy (FR) 9-4 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway on inside before 3 out, challenging when not fluent and landed awkwardly last, soon had 1 1/2 lengths to make up, rallied well to lead close home, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan beating Great Heart'Jac (11-2) by nk, 10 ran.
Russian Ruler (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Chased leaders, raced keenly, challenged 3 out until after 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 7 3/4l behind Moriko De Vassy (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
Shallwehaveonemore (FR) 4-9fav (11-0) Made all, went well clear before 4th, not fluent 3 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Sandown 2m (3) gs in Feb beating Grandeur D'ame (11-6) by 20l, 7 ran.
Iceo (FR) 15-8 (11-3) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, awkward at 3rd, hit 2 out, pushed along turning in, ridden and no impression before the last, weakened soon after, 4th of 8, 18 1/2l behind Pied Piper (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Jan.
Legionar (GER) 11-2 (10-9) Towards rear, closer in mid-division out wide when carried wide home turn, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Our Jester (11-8) at Lingfield 2m (2) pol in Jan.
