raced keenish, jumped well, made all, pushed along approaching 3 out, stumbled 3 out, in command 2 out, driven out run-in, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
took keen hold, held up in last pair, left in 3rd place 7th, pushed along before 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off and pulled up before next
held up in rear, steady headway tracking leaders 11th, went 2nd 4 out, no impression 2 out, mistake last
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, mistake 5th, left in 2nd place 7th, lost 2nd 4 out, one pace in 3rd and no impression next
tracking winner when blundered and unseated rider 7th
Dell' Arca was a decent hurdler last season and made a promising start over fences at Cheltenham in a race that's likely to produce plenty of winners. But SAPHIR DU RHEU is sure to have plenty of schooling and could be another smart chasing prospect for the Nicholls team. He won three times over the smaller obstacles last season, including a Listed contest at Kempton in January, and soft going is ideal. Leicester third Deep Trouble should be winning soon and Horatio Hornblower showed promise at Uttoxeter last month and adds to the interest. Coneygree was a top-class staying hurdler a couple of years ago but has been off the track for a while and is best watched on this occasion as he'll be better over 3m.
Coneygree 9-4 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 5, 12l behind At Fishers Cross (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan '13.
Deep Trouble (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, stumbled 5th, headway next, went 2nd 7th until 8th, not fluent 4 out, challenged 2 out, ridden and unable to quicken flat, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Three Kingdoms (11-0) at Leicester 2m beg chs (3) gs.
Dell' Arca (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced after last (usual 3 out), soon ridden, no chance with leaders on extended run-in, 4th of 6, 16l behind Champagne West (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) sft.
Horatio Hornblower (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 7th, one pace and no impression before 2 out, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Sgt Reckless (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
Saphir Du Rheu (FR) 2-5fav (11-7) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 3rd, closed on winner 5th, pushed along before 2 out, driven and no impression between last 2, lost 2nd and weakened flat, 4th of 6, 8l behind Kayf Moss (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
