tracked leader, led 2nd, strongly pressed and ridden run-in, headed and outstayed inside final 110 yards
patiently ridden in rear, good headway out wide chasing leaders went 2nd before 3 out, ridden and sustained challenge run-in, stayed on best to lead inside final 110 yards
led until 2nd, chased leader until mistake and lost 2nd briefly next, lost 2nd 7th, soon badly outpaced, rallied under pressure before 3 out, kept on run-in
held up in last pair, good headway chasing leaders 6th, went 2nd next, ridden and lost 2nd turning in, weakened soon after
chased leaders, ridden and one pace in 3rd before 3 out, no chance with leading duo
raced wide tracking leaders, went 2nd briefly 3rd, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, weakened before next
Eclair D'Ainay was a revelation dropping back to 2m in the Castleford Chase at Wetherby over Christmas and should go close off a 7lb higher mark here with a similar showing but LE LIGERIEN is better handicapped. Despite a first win under Rules in two years at Chepstow, Philip Hobbs’ runner still has no weight to speak of in this and is very much at home when the mud is flying. Financier will strip fitter for a run at Ascot and Frero Banbou will probably run his race again but would have preferred a better surface. Cedar Hill is best at Kelso while One True King and Beaufort West look up against it in this grade.
Eclair D'Ainay (FR) 4-1 (10-2) Made all, ridden 2 out, ran on, won at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Cheddleton (11-3) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Financier 14-1 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Palmers Hill (10-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Frero Banbou (FR) 3-1jfav (10-8) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on but not pace to challenge, 3rd of 8, 6 3/4l behind Editeur Du Gite (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
One True King (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Chased leading trio until blundered badly bumped and almost unseated rider 3rd, lost place and in last pair, pushed along in 5th after 3 out, went modest 4th last, 4th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Brave Seasca (11-0) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Cedar Hill (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Prominent, led 7th, pressed before 2 out, headed before last, one length down final fence, ridden and rallied to lead run-in, stayed on grimly, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Lucky Flight (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Le Ligerien (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 2nd, led 5 out, clear 3 out, stayed on, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Rose Sea Has (11-2) by 4 1/4l, 8 ran.
Beaufort West (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up in 5th, lost place 5th, towards rear and struggling next, never dangerous after, 5th of 8, 26l behind Gallic Geordie (10-1) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
