led, tried to refuse approaching 1st and unseated rider
close up in rear, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
left in lead at 2nd, hampered approaching 3 out, ridden and headed flat, no chance with winner
left in lead 1st, carried out by loose horse next
left 2nd soon after 2nd, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
close up, hampered 1st, left 2nd briefly at next, tracked leader 2out, quickened to lead flat, impressive
NonRunner
Nicky Henderson won this twice with Buveur D’Air in recent years and the high-class EPATANTE has her first outing since winning the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. She should be even stronger this year and will take all the beating on her reappearance. Cornerstone Lad failed to complete behind the selection at Cheltenham having earlier won this contest in heavy going with Silver Streak behind. The latter made a winning return at Kempton last month and today’s ground will suit while smart chaser Sceau Royal has won both starts over timber since returning to action including the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton three weeks ago and can also figure. The remainder have plenty to find on these terms though Ribble Valley is going the right way and makes more appeal than both Not So Sleepy and Voix Du Reve.
Not So Sleepy 10-1 (9-4) Led, joined 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 34, 6 3/4l behind Great White Shark (8-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Ribble Valley (IRE) 8-15fav (11-10) Held up last, smooth headway into third before 3 out, travelling best 2 out, led last and won going away, impressive, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Oct beating Nickolson (11-4) by 5 1/2l, 4 ran.
Sceau Royal (FR) 4-5fav (11-0) Held up in 5th on inside, smooth headway after 3 out, 2nd on inside before next, challenged 2 out, led soon after, came clear before last, easily, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Nov beating Teqany (11-0) by 7 1/2l, 6 ran.
Silver Streak (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along between 3out/2out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and ran on strongly(new track record), won at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct beating Verdana Blue (10-7) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Voix Du Reve (FR) 50-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, led 2nd, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 12th of 14, dist behind Jacamar (10-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Epatante (FR) 2-1fav (11-3) Held up in touch and travelled well, not fluent 3 out, eased out right before leading last, edged right flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar beating Sharjah (11-10) by 3l, 17 ran.
Cornerstone Lad 4-1 (9-8) Led, ridden and reduced advantage 3f out, headed over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong to lead close home, won at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Jackamundo (9-5) by nk, 12 ran.
