led, pressed 3 out, ridden and headed before next, rallied last, led flat, stayed on, driven out
tracked leader, not fluent 5th, hit next, soon lost 2nd, driven and one pace from 3 out, no impression on front pair, mistake last
held up, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, pushed along and effort in dispute of 3rd before 3 out, no impression on front pair, not fluent last, no extra
tracked leaders, hit 1st, went 2nd after 6th, challenged 3 out, led before next, driven and edged right approaching last, stayed on, just held
held up, went 3rd after 6th until mistake 8th, weakened 4 out
Ar Mad was possibly given too much rope by his rivals in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Chase at Sandown earlier this month but never looked like being caught. He's taken really well to fences, as has Ludlow and Newbury winner Arzal. The Saint James was only beaten half-a-length by the potentially-smart Vyta Du Roc at Bangor and can only imp-rove while Ittirad has amassed some impressive form figures and has won both start over the larger obstacles, though probably hasn't beaten much. VANITEUX was just below top class over timber and has a bright future over fences judged on his very easy win over course and distance last month. That was his first run since April so there should be plenty more to come and he gets a handy 2lb from three of his four rivals.
Ar Mad (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Jumped well, made all, clear 3rd, given breather before 3 out, clear again after next, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec beating Bristol De Mai (10-10) by 10l, 6 ran.
Arzal (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Made all, awkward 8th, came clear from 3 out, heavily eased run-in, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Aso (11-8) by 13l, 10 ran.
Ittirad (USA) 11-8fav (11-5) Not always fluent, chased leaders, closed 3 out, not much room and switched right before 2 out, led last, ran on, won at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gs in Oct beating Dormello Mo (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Vaniteux (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Made all, quickened clear before 3 out, readily, won at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Qewy (11-0) by 19l, 5 ran.
The Saint James (FR) 2-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, slow 4th, effort from 2 out, every chance after last, kept on well, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Vyta Du Roc (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
