made virtually all, hung left throughout, jumped slowly 4th, withstood challenge after 2 out, ran on
close up, pressed winner after 2 out, no extra after that
held up, went 3rd from 7th, mistake 3 out and next, soon beaten
close up until mistake 7th (water), lost touch from 10th
Phillip Hobbs has his string firing ahead of the Cheltenham Festival and can receive another boost if LEADING CONTENDER is on the boil this afternoon. Restless D'Artaix and Oscar Bay are expected to make life hard for the selection, though. Oscar Bay is a tough and reliable character that deserves to gain further success. However, he doesn't always give the impression that he is enjoying himself and Seamus Durack will certainly have to earn his riding fee. Restless D'Artaix will always be associated with Tony McCoy (having been the champ's 3000th winner) and he may receive sentimental support as a result. The French-bred gelding is unexposed over fences and is likely to be very popular in the betting; which may just help Leading Contender slip under the radar for a while. The gelding returned from a serious tendon injury with a fair round of jumping at Kempton last month and, as his odds are likely to be a tad more attractive if the McCoy factor comes into the equations, Leading Contender looks good value to be celebrating a little earlier than some of his more exalted stablemates.
Oscar Bay (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders and soon driven along, ridden and lost place 8th, rallied 3 out, chased leading pair and one pace, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Soixante (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Crescent Island (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Mistakes, raced in close 4th, blundered 6th, hit 12th, ridden when blundered and weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Gone To Lunch (11-6) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Leading Contender (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Hit 1st, pulled hard in third, chased winner 11th, strong challenge from 4 out, every chance when hit 2 out, no extra and held before last, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Pancake (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
Personal Column 33-1 (10-1) Always in rear, behind when jumped left 6th and 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Lough Derg (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan, 18 ran.
Restless D'artaix (FR) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leader, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb beating The Package (11-0) by 1l, 5 ran.
