made most to 4th, pressed leader, regained lead 6th, definite advantage 8th, blundered 4 out, narrowly headed 3 out, one pace and no chance with winner after
chased leaders in 4th, went 3rd after 11th, chased leader 4 out, led 3 out, in command when blundered last, driven out
held up in rear, hit 10th, weakened next
hit 1st, took keen hold and held up in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, left modest 3rd 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 11th, 3rd and beaten when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
pressed leader, led 4th to 6th, stayed challenging, ridden after 4 out, weakened next
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Officier De Reserve wasn't extended to win on his British debut and is taken to defy a 6lb penalty and win again, at the main expense of Some Touch and Offemont. The selection was a warm order to win last week at Hereford and despite an iffy jump at the last he won with head in chest and could potentially be better than this grade. The stable are in consistently good form and on ground that he handles, he should defy his 6lb penalty. Offemont stayed on well to win a novice handicap at Warwick last month, however the form of that race looks moderate and he is passed over today. Some Touch comes here chasing the hat-trick and will have no problems with the slight step up in trip after winning over two miles last time out. That form doesn't appear amazing, however he deserves respect despite carrying top-weight today. Glimmer Of Light returned to form last time out but won't appreciate today's underfoot conditions, whilst Malijimar could go well at a price. Paul Nicholls is in good form though and we will stick with Officier De Reserve to land the spoils, possibly on his way to the Jewson at Cheltenham.
Officier De Reserve (FR) 1-3fav (10-8) Tracked leader, with leader from 7th, led next, clear 4 out, blundered last, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Feb beating Lunar Crystal (11-1) by 11l, 5 ran.
Maljimar (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Took keen hold, held up, headway 11th, went 3rd 4 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Nadover (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Eleazar (GER) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up in touch, lost place 8th, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 16l behind Beau Torero (10-12) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Kayceecee (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) In touch, hit 6th, left 3rd after 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Brave Villa (11-2) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 4 out, led before 2 out, held on well under pressure, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Feb beating Mr Bigglesworth (11-6) by a hd, 11 ran.
Wakeup Smiling (IRE) 7-2 (10-1) In touch, headway 7th, led next, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon no chance with winner, hit last, weakened, 4th of 8, 15l behind Mr Boo (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr.
Some Touch (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Led, headed and hit 2 out, rallied to lead again last 50 yards, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan beating Eborarry (10-7) by 2l, 4 ran.
Offemont (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 6th, ridden clear 3 out, kept on well, won at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan beating Kayceecee (11-5) by 4l, 5 ran.
