soon disputed lead, led from 4th, mistake 3 out, clear from next, reduced lead from last, ridden out to assert run-in, clear again closing stages, comfortably
raced on outer, soon disputed lead, headed from 4th, mistake 4 out, ridden before straight, dropped to last 2 out, soon eased
raced in rear, pushed along briefly from 5th, went moderate 2nd from 2 out, closed from last, soon no impression and kept on same pace
Another poor turnout numerically but an interesting little race. Days Hotel won four of his first five starts over fences including three at Grade 2 level. However, he hasn't made the expected progress and was 14l behind Twinlight at Cork in December. The latter completed a hat-trick last year and was sent to Kempton for a Listed contest last month but blundered his way round and was a long way behind Captain Chris. He faces a stiff test against the ultra-consistent Toner D'Oudairies but his trainer should know how he stands with that one as his Arvika Ligeonniere has beaten him twice recently.
Days Hotel (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Jumped left, chased leading pair, weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 30l behind Sire De Grugy (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f chs G1 (1) hvy in Jan.
Twinlight (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leader, blundered 3rd, blundered badly 10th and rider made great recovery, lost 2nd before 12th, outpaced in 4th at 12th, rallied to poor 3rd in closing stages, 3rd of 6, 32l behind Captain Chris (11-10) at Kempton 2m 4f lst chs (1) sft in Jan.
Toner D'Oudairies (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in last, 3rd before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, no impression in 2nd before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 14l behind Arvika Ligeonniere (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G2 (1) hvy.
