led to 2nd, chased leader, led 4 out, edged right from approaching 2 out, pressed when left clear last
held up in touch, mistake 12th, not fluent 14th, jumped right 16th, about 8 lengths down in 4th when jumped right and blundered badly 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 15th, ridden from 4 out, weakened after 3 out, left moderate 2nd last
not always fluent, held up in last, mistake 12th, reminders after next, weakening when mistake 14th, left poor 3rd last
chased leader, led 2nd, reminders after 10th, headed 4 out, stayed challenging, intimidated by winner, still every chance when ran out through wing last
Oward has shown progressive form over fences in France and has to be respected but his most recent narrow success over the now Paul Nicholls-trained Oscar D'Angron looks a little short of the form shown by another Nicholls runner in this race Beau Michel, who gets the vote with Pass It On rated the pick of the remainder. The selection showed a reasonable level of form over hurdles but seemed to step up on those efforts when making a winning debut over fences when successful at Taunton in December. The softer ground today will not inconvenience the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding and he is taken to win again. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his string in good form so Beat The Boys has to be considered but he would need to improve to trouble the judge, while Allistathebarrista has yet to reproduce his best hurdles form over the larger obstacles. Jonjo O'Neill's Pass It On has a bit to find with Beat The Boys on their running here in December but the yard's runners are in better form now so he has to be respected. Beau Michel looks much improved over fences though and he gets the vote.
Beat The Boys (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Always prominent, hampered 2nd, slightly hampered 7th, ridden after 3 out, challenged 2 out, left in lead last, stayed on, won at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Dec beating Gritti Palace (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Oward (FR) (10-6) Prominent, effort from 2 out, ran on to lead close home, won at Auteuil 2m 5f chs in May beating Oscar D'angron (10-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Beau Michel (FR) 10-11fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, ridden after 11th, chased leader 4 out, led approaching 3 out, left clear last, readily, won at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Dec beating Dream Falcon (10-8) by 9l, 9 ran.
Pass It On (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) In touch, jumped slowly 15th, weakened before next, 4th of 8, 21l behind Beat The Boys (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Allistathebarrista (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led to 2nd, led again 4th, headed 9th, outpaced next, ridden after 5 out, chased winner last, no impression, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Minster Shadow (11-0) at Newcastle 3m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
