chased easy winner throughout, outpaced before 2 out, no chance after
held up 3rd and last throughout, struggling final circuit, soon lost, touch, continued well tailed off
made all, drew clear before 2 out, unchallenged, center (4 fences omitted)
L'AMI SERGE was a high-class hurdler, winning a Grade 1 at Sandown a year ago and finishing fourth in the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham. His debut over fences has been long-awaited and he should be much too good for these if his jumping is up to scratch. Doctor Harper’s best form over hurdles was over further but he'll strip fitter for his run at Sandown. Gino Trail has already won a point-to-point and a hurdle but is another who will be better when tackling longer trips. Dollar Bill has a lengthy absence to overcome and is Flat-bred so it's anybody's guess how he'll take to chasing.
Doctor Harper (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Shaded keen, held up in rear, reminders and struggling after 3 out, never involved, 9th of 10, 23 1/2l behind Simply A Legend (10-5) at Sandown 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Dollar Bill 11-4jfav (9-12) Held up off the pace in 4th until dropped to 5th 4f out, ridden 2f out, headway between horses over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 5 1/4l behind Now What (9-2) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
L'Ami Serge (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Behind, hampered badly 4th, soon pushed along, headway under pressure on inside when hampered again after 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, 4th before last, kept on same pace, unable to reach leaders, 4th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Douvan (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Gino Trail (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Close up, led 3 out, blundered 2 out, kept on from last, won at Towcester 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Go West Young Man (11-4) by 7l, 12 ran.
