held up in last pair, mistake 4th, soon driven and lost touch, tailed off
tracked leader, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
chased leading pair, mistake 5th, ridden and no impression on long run to 6th, tailed off
led, joined 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, held run-in
held up in last pair, ridden and no impression on long run to 6th, tailed off
RESTLESS D'ARTAIX is sure to have been well schooled and is the suggestion to take this beginners' chase for Tony McCoy and Nicky Henderson, while Flying Grey and The Package can get involved. The selection handles plenty of cut and this trip well, and was previously a very useful novices' hurdler. Brought back after a two-and-a-half year absence at Bangor last May he was beaten when being brought down, and so he clearly still has a fair bit to prove, but he can do so today given plenty of scope for improvement. Flying Grey has plenty more miles on the clock and handles soft ground well. He can win when fresh and is not readily dismissed if he jumps around on his chasing debut. The Package ran well for a long way before perhaps blowing up last time and can come on for that run. Plenty of cut should suit and he is respected. Jardin De Vienne acts with cut and this is his sort of trip, but he has not yet won under National Hunt rules and is probably best watched on this, his debut over fences. We'll side with Restless D'Artaix.
Jardin De Vienne (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 4th, ridden after next, beaten before 2 out, 5th of 16, 12l behind Tender Falcon (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Restless D'artaix (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, beaten when brought down 2 out in race won by Moon Star (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in May, 12 ran.
Sebastiano (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 6th of 15, 33l behind Almaydan (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
The Package 15-8fav (11-0) Led to 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 35l behind Cornas (11-0) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Flying Grey (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well, won at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Aug beating Histoire De Moeurs (11-5) by 8l, 5 ran.