led until after 1st, chased leaders, lost place before 6th (water), behind 7th, never on terms after
raced wide, chased leaders, led after 6th (water) pushed along and headed before 4 out, lost 2nd 4 out, weakened before next
raced on inside, held up off the pace towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 11th, never involved
chased leaders, went 2nd on inside turning in, led before 4 out, headed last, readily outpaced by winner run-in, kept on for clear 2nd
raced wide, chased leaders, lost place and towards rear before 7th, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 4 out
raced in 3rd, went 2nd before 3rd until before 6th, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 5 out, bad mistake 4 out, finished tired
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd before 2nd until before next, chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
jumped right, led after 1st until after 6th (water), chased leader, hit 11th, pushed along and lost 2nd turning in, went 2nd again 4 out until ridden before 2 out, plugged on in modest 3rd
waited with in rear, hit 9th, steady headway tracking leaders before 11th, went 2nd before 2 out, led on bit last, quickened readily clear run-in, easily
NonRunner
Messire Des Obeaux unexpectedly got back to winning ways at Warwick and Riders Onthe Storm is also a former Grade 2 winner but neither are in the full flush of youth. THE BIG BITE was all out to score here three weeks ago and is 4lb higher but he did win off this mark in 2020 and performed well last season off higher ratings so would be interesting again if the cheekpieces work a second time. Zhiguli and Eden Du Houx finished 1-2 at Sandown two weeks ago and Honneur D'Ajonc beat subsequent Haydock winner Super Six at Hereford in January and is better off at the weights. Heltenham is clearly improving but this is a significant step up in class.
Espoir De Guye (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, closer in 4th place 5 out, disputing 3rd 3 out, ridden and no extra in 4th next, weakened, 5th of 7, 18 1/4l behind The Big Bite (10-5) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Handy, led after 4th, faced challenge 3 out, headed narrowly approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly, 7th of 14, 27 3/4l behind Cap Du Nord (10-8) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Messire Des Obeaux (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 12th, pressed leader home turn, pushed along before 2 out and no impression, ridden after last and stayed on well to lead closing stages, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Feb beating Knight In Dubai (10-4) by nk, 4 ran.
Numitor 14-1 (11-11) Jumped right, led until 4 out, no impression on winner 2 out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 9 1/2l behind Galahad Quest (11-1) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Eden Du Houx (FR) 11-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, lost place before 7th, mistake 10th and 12th, outpaced after next, rallied from 2 out, not much room and squeezed through before last, went 2nd flat, stayed on, unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Zhiguli (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Super Six 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 3rd at 6th, 2nd next, challenged and bit awkward 5 out, led next, came clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb beating If Not For Dylan (11-1) by 15l, 9 ran.
Honneur D'Ajonc (FR) 10-3 (11-7) Led until after 1st, prominent, slow 7th, left in lead before 8th, headed 4 out, led before 3 out, headed 3 out, rallied last, led again flat, stayed on, won at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Upton Road (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Zhiguli (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Prominent, led 5th, jumped right next, 3 1/2 lengths ahead when jumped right last, wandered flat, driven out, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Eden Du Houx (12-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Heltenham (FR) 13-8fav (11-10) Jumped well kept wide, held up in 5th early, headway into 3rd at 6th, went 2nd before 8th, not fluent 5 out, led going well before 4 out, hit next, 3 lengths ahead 2 out, stayed on strongly, ridden out, won at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Feb beating How's The Cricket (11-6) by 4l, 7 ran.
The Big Bite (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Raced wide in close 3rd, went 2nd 11th, led 4 out, joined last, hung left and strongly pressed run-in, stayed on gamely, all out, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Mar beating Gemirande (10-2) by hd, 7 ran.
