made all, pressed from 2 out, ridden before last, held on well towards finish, ridden out
held up in touch, lost place from 5 out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 4 out until next, ridden before last, kept on to chase winner and held towards finish
tracked leader, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, went 2nd from 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden before last, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
in rear, outpaced from 6 out
This is a potentially high-class novice chase if some of these reproduce their hurdles form over the larger obstacles. Le Prezien was second to last season's top novice Yorkhill in a Grade 1 at Aintree when last seen and looks a smart recruit. Charbel was fifth in the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham in March having finished second in a Grade 2 earlier. Solstice Star was a very progressive handicapper last season and Kayf Blanco and Vendor are certainly no mugs. TOP NOTCH was fifth in the Champion Hurdle last season and would probably have finished closer but for a mistake at the second-last. He's taken to make winning start over fences but this should be a race to savour.
Charbel (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Led, bad mistake 4 out, joined before next, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, moderate 5th and eased before last, 5th of 6, 24 1/2l behind Don't Touch It (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Kayf Blanco 16-1 (11-1) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching last, stayed on same pace final 150 yards, 6th of 16, 5 1/4l behind Matorico (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Le Prezien (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden before next, driven and went 2nd last, tried to challenge flat, winner pulled out more and no impression towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Yorkhill (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Solstice Star 8-1 (11-8) Keen early, led until after 3rd, pressed leader, led again after last bend, ridden and headed last, stayed on flat, not pace of winner inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Mister Miyagi (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Apr.
Top Notch (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, gradually closed from 4th, 5th when mistake 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced by leaders, stayed on same pace flat, 5th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Annie Power (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Vendor (FR) 8-1 (11-12) In touch, pushed along before 2 out, ridden before last, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 19 3/4l behind Thunder Sheik (10-7) at Haydock 2m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
