chased winner who was soon well clear until 5th, went 2nd again 9th, no chance
held up, headway to chase winner 5th until mistake 9th, blundered next, soon 4th and no impression, went 3rd flat
held up, not fluent 6th, soon behind, tailed off
held up, went 3rd 9th, hit next, no chance with winner, hit 2 out, demoted to 4th flat
took keen hold, made all, went clear when jumped left 2nd, went long and landed on top of 4 out, very easily
SANCTUAIRE looks to have been found a nice opportunity to get off the mark on his debut over fences. Paul Nicholls' charge, who landed the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April, finished last behind Binocular in the Christmas Hurdle when last seen but has raced at a completely different level to these rivals. Easter Meteor didn't have much experience over timber but looked a natural over the bigger obstacles on his debut at Exeter. He'll find any flaws in the likely favourite's jumping armoury. Shammick Boy is also penalised after completing a bloodless victory when his two much better fancied rivals came to grief at Exeter in November and he was beaten when falling there a month later. The remaining pair will need to make massive strides to get competitive.
Easter Meteor 7-4 (11-1) Made all, not fluent 7th or 8th, clear approaching last, easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating George Nympton (11-1) by 11l, 7 ran.
Shammick Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, reminders before and after 6th, headway approaching next, outpaced in 4th from next, no chance with leading trio, tailed off when fell last, in a race won by Walkon (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
Hearty Royale (IRE) 5-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 2 out, soon one pace, keeping on under pressure when not fluent last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Golan Guy (11-1) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs.
Midnight Sail 8-1 (10-13) In touch, headway 5 out, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Rangitoto (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Sanctuaire (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Led in when went badly left and missed break start, always detatched in rear, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Binocular (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Dec.
