tracked leaders on inside, pecked 2nd, 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, ridden before last where every chance, no extra run-in
held up in last pair, blundered and stumbled badly 3rd, jumped slowly and reminders next, headway approaching 2 out, plugged on into modest 3rd after 2 out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leader until after 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
tracked leading trio, 2nd travelling well before 2 out, led 2 out, ridden and stayed on strongly run-in
raced keenly, led, hit 5th, headed before 2 out, weakened and hit 2 out
held up in last pair, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, plugged on into modest 4th after next, went left last
COEUR DE LION has taken well to hurdling, beating a subsequent winner at Wetherby before chasing home current Triumph Hurdle favourite Defi Du Seuil in a Class 2 contest at Cheltenham in which the first two pulled clear. He should be more than capable of giving 6lb to Royal Reserve, who is only making slow progress, and French import Don Bersy. Unless one of Tony Carroll’s newcomers are well above average, there looks to be little to fear among the others.
Coeur de Lion 5-1 (11-2) Led, attempted to jump path crossing before 2nd, headed after hurdle, chased leader after, led after home bend, not fluent and headed last, not pace of winner flat but stayed on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) gs in Dec.
Alcanar (USA) 5-1 (9-10) Towards rear, pushed along and struggling over 2f out, beaten and hung left over 1f out, 9th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Threediamondrings (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Black Buble (FR) Valanour gelding out of Miss Bubble Rose.
Dark Enemy (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on outside, unseated rider 4th, at Newbury 2m (3) gs in Dec.
Don Bersy (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, every chance when fell next, at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Light Of Air (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along and some headway before 3 out, weakened 3 out, soon behind, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Cosmeapolitan (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Royal Reserve 33-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden in modest 4th after 3 out, no impression, 4th of 9, 16 1/2l behind Charli Parcs (11-3) at Kempton 2m (2) gd in Dec.
