led 2nd, made rest, in command 3 out, common canter
disputed 2nd, blundered 2nd and 5th, went definite 2nd and hit 4 out, no chance with winner after
led to 2nd, disputed 2nd after until ridden before 8th and soon outpaced, tailed off 3 out
Just the three runners for this opener and it looks an easy task for Juveigner, Victree should be the one to chase him home. Nicky Henderson's ten-year-old is a top class chaser rated at 147 following some superb efforts last season. He had a spin over hurdles back in November when third to Massini's Maguire and a repeat of that effort should be good enough against these two opponents. Victree ran well in a couple of bumpers before running modestly on his hurdles debut. He needs to step up on that performance to trouble the favourite this afternoon. Miss Sallyfield has shown nothing in a hurdle and chase and looks booked for third place. So in what is just a warnm up for a run at the festival, Juveigneur is a confident selection.
Juveigneur (FR) 11-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, progress to be in touch from 5th, pressed leaders from 5 out until stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 18, 10l behind Halcon Genelardais (11-3) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Victree (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, reminders after 4th, headway when mistake 6th, weakened after 9th, hampered 3 out, 4th of 14, 33l behind Caspers Case (11-2) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (E) gd in Jun '05.
Miss Sallyfield (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Led, headed 3rd, jumped right, weakened 5th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Shatabdi (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy.
