not fluent, chased winner, mistake 3rd, not fluent next, hit 2 out, ridden before and hit last, stayed on same pace and always held flat
reluctant to line up and led in, cocked jaw went left and reluctant to jump off, pulled very hard and soon in touch in rear, pulled way up to 3rd after 2nd, hit 3 out, ridden and no response soon after, pulled up before 2 out
jumped well, made all, clear after 2nd until 5th, ridden last, stayed on gamely flat
chased leading duo until settled 4th after 2nd, ridden and no chance 3 out, left modest 3rd before 2 out, went left 2 out and last, tailed off
Held together by Ruby Walsh, SANCTUAIRE ran out an impressive winner of last week's Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr. Paul Nicholls' gelding looks right back to his best and should have no problem following up here. The pick of the opposition looks to be Clerk's Choice, who has been very highly tried since winning a decent novices' event at Cheltenham in October. He was far from disgraced when sixth in the Champion Hurdle last month. The Jigsaw Man and Dorabelle have both been racing over further and neither is expected to have the pace to trouble the principals here.
Clerk's Choice (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on under pressure after 2 out, chasing leaders when hit last, no impression, weakened flat, 6th of 11, 12l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Sanctuaire (FR) 9-2fav (10-8) Held up in rear, took keen hold early, headway after 6th, went 3rd 3 out, led last, edged right flat, driven out, won at Ayr 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd beating Bygones Of Brid (10-8) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
The Jigsaw Man (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Led until 5th, led next until 7th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 13, 32l behind Raslan (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Aug.
Dorabelle (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, ridden 7th, struggling next, tailed off, 10th of 16, 32l behind Veiled (9-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) gd.
