tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, driven to challenge between last 2, led after last, soon ridden, kept on, all out to hold on near finish
tracked leaders on inside, hit 9th, not fluent and lost place next, behind 3 out, no danger after
chased leaders, lost place briefly after 3rd, driven and outpaced after 3 out, well held in 4th between last 2
led 1st, headed before 3 out, soon lost place, weakened from next, tailed off
tracked leaders on outside, driven and lost place after 3 out, soon outpaced, never able to get back on terms
held up in touch, chased leaders on outside 3 out, soon driven and outpaced, never able to challenge, ridden and weakened after last
led to 1st, tracked leader, led again before 3 out, driven when strongly pressed between last 2, headed after last, soon ridden, rallied towards finish, just held
held up in touch, headway after 4 out, went 3rd next, one pace between last 2, ridden and rallied closing stages, finished well, not quite reach front pair
A terrific renewal though Dolos may be a little out of his comfort zone and Ornua, despite winning a Grade 1 last season, also has plenty on his plate. DEFI DU SEUIL quickened nicely when asked to pick off Politologue at Cheltenham. He’s arguably better over a bit further but the likely strong gallop and stiff track will both aid his cause and he can pass his biggest task to date with flying colours. Un De Sceaux won this back in 2016 and still running to a very high standard last season but it will be disappointing if he beats much younger rivals on his reappearance, though finished 20 lengths ahead of Sceau Royal when second last year. Waiting Patiently and Janika may not have the pace to stay with these over the minimum trip.
Defi Du Seuil (FR) 11-8fav (11-3) Tracked leader, shaken up between last 2, every chance last, ridden to lead narrowly flat, kept on well near finish, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Politologue (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Dolos (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leader, hampered 3rd, effort 3 out, kept on into 2nd after last, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Janika (11-10) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Janika (FR) 5-2fav (11-10) Chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Nov beating Dolos (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Ornua (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Led, slight mistake 3rd, joined before 2 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 9 1/2l behind Cilaos Emery (11-1) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Politologue (FR) 5-2 (11-6) Led, ridden after last, rallied when narrowly headed flat, no extra and held near finish, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Sceau Royal (FR) 10-3 (11-7) Tracked leading pair, 2nd before 3 out, travelling well enough on inside when hit 2 out, held and no chance after, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Altior (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) gd in Apr.
Un De Sceaux (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Disputed lead, led after 2nd, slight mistake 4th, went on from before straight, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr beating Min (11-12) by 4l, 6 ran.
Waiting Patiently (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Held up in 5th, not fluent 9th, switched to outside and closed 4 out, went right and hit 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, no chance with winner, well held when not fluent last, 3rd of 6, 29l behind Min (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
