dropped out last, smooth headway to track leading pair 2 out, challenged last, kidded along and ran on to lead final 100 yards
chased leader until after 11th, mistake and dropped rear next, tailling off when blundered 16th (water)
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 11th, driven to press leader from 2 out, upsides run-in, not quicken final 100 yards
settled in 4th, mistake 12th, jumped left 18th, close up 3 out, no extra and jumped left 2 out, went right last
led, hard pressed from 2 out, driven and narrow advantage last, kept on run-in until headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards
Aristoxene looks the least exposed of these and is taken to follow up his Haydock success at the main expense of Boy's Hurrah and Inca Trail. Nicky Henderson has wasted no time in putting the selection over fences after three runs over hurdles for former handler Guillaume Macaire and, following a disappointing debut was rewarded with a smooth success at Haydock in December. That win came at a time when the Henderson horses were running below par so there should be plenty of improvement to come from the son of Start Fast, who is taken to continue his progression. Inca Trail has been frustrating in the past but Paul Nicholls seems to have brought out the best in him recently; however, Best Mate's brother ran a lack-lustre race at Ludlow last time and may be best watched at present. Peccadillo has gone well here before but is difficult to catch right, while The Kew Tour is difficult to recommend on the balance of this season's form but has slipped to an attractive mark. Fellow northern raider Boy's Hurrah has twice won over course and distance this term but looked beaten when falling here last time and preference is for the unexposed Aristoxene.
Inca Trail (IRE) 2-1fav Held up, mistake 11th, effort 4 out, weakened after next, 6th of 7, 14l behind Maxie McDonald at Ludlow 3m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
Peccadillo (IRE) 16-1 Prominent, pushed along after 10th, weakened 13th, soon tailed off, 6th of 8, 29l behind Banker Count at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Feb.
The Kew Tour (IRE) 20-1 Tracked leaders, reminders after 8th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Whereareyounow at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs (B) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
Aristoxene (FR) 5-2 Jumped left throughout, with leader, led approaching 3rd, not fluent next, clear approahcing last, easily, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (C) hvy in Dec beating The Sister by a distance, 4 ran.
Boy's Hurrah (IRE) 7-2fav Led to 10th, prominent to 3 out, weakening when fell at the 10th in race won by Innox at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Feb, 12 ran.
