tracked leader to 3 out, soon outpaced
held up in touch, headway 5th, went second when hit 3 out, led next, soon ridden, headed post
led, soon clear, headed 2 out, hung left and no extra
tracked leaders, headway after 4 out, ridden and one paced approaching 2 out
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, ridden next, went second between last 2, stayed on strongly run in to lead post
BUVEUR D’AIR is impossible to oppose seeking back-to-back victories in this. Despite being easy to back on his reappearance in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, Nicky Henderson’s Champion Hurdler trounced Grade 1 winner Samcro by an easy eight lengths and wind surgery may have brought about even more improvement. That stretched his winning run over hurdles to nine and he’s on the verge of superstar status. Stablemate Verdana Blue beat If The Cap Fits in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton and has run well since under a big weight in the Greatwood at Cheltenham and on Polytrack. She’s better off today with Harry Fry’s Ascot scorer so should confirm the form. Global Citizen made all and defied top weight in a Listed handicap last time at Newbury. The form of that race is working out well but he could be a sitting duck out in front. Boite has a mountain to climb on these terms.
Boite (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway on inside before 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 7th of 15, 25 3/4l behind Champ (11-6) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Buveur D'Air (FR) 11-8 (11-7) Tracked leader, always travelling well, led approaching when mistake last, quickened clear, impressive, won at Newcastle 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Samcro (11-7) by 8l, 5 ran.
Global Citizen (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Raced keenly, made all and set strong pace, given breather after 4 out, clear again next, kept on gamely towards finish, all out, won at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Dec beating Lisp (11-1) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
If The Cap Fits (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Prominent in chasing group in 4th, closer 2 out, challenged and edged right run-in, quickened to lead final 110 yards, soon clear, won at Ascot 2m 3f (1) gs in Nov beating Old Guard (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Verdana Blue (IRE) 13-8fav (9-1) Tracked leader after 1f, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Spark Plug (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f lst stks (1) pol in Dec.
