tracked front pair, jumped left and not fluent 7th, reminders, pushed along after 4 out and went 2nd, held when hit 3 out, 20 lengths behind when left in disputed lead 2 out, slow jump 2 out where slightly hampered by faller, soon headed and ridden, no impression
led, pushed along and went clear going well after 3 out, overjumped and fell 2 out
prominent, bad mistake 1st, dropped to 3rd and pushed along after 4 out, 22 lengths behind when left in disputed lead 2 out, hampered by faller and soon led after 2 out, hit last, pushed out run-in
HARDY DU SEUIL has his favoured good ground and can return to winning ways. He finished runner-up to Dubai Days, who has won again since, in soft going at Kelso last month and is just preferred to Sir Tivo. The latter has had a break since beating a couple of rivals at Doncaster in November though the second has won subsequently. Stepney Causeway has a good strike-rate over hurdles but has yet to win over fences, though has slipped down the weights.
Hardy Du Seuil (FR) 11-4fav (11-8) Chased leader until after 2nd, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 7th (normal 4 out), rallied on extended run-in, went 2nd bypassing omitted last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Dubai Days (10-6) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Stepney Causeway 80-1 (10-8) Led, mistake 2nd, not fluent 4th, headed after 3 out, weakened from 2 out and pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Sir Tivo (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Made all, pressed before omitted 4 out, ridden before omitted 2 out, soon went clear and ran on well, readily, won at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Slanelough (11-11) by 4l, 3 ran.
