tracked leader, not fluent 8th, challenged 3 out, led going best approaching 2 out, soon clear, unextended
took keen hold early, tracked leading pair until 4th, outpaced before 6th, mistakes 8th and next, rallied into poor 3rd at the last, no chance with leading duo
tracked leading trio, 3rd at 4th, outpaced 7th, no chance with leading duo, lost poor 3rd at the last
led, not fluent 6th, joined 3 out, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, no chance with winner, went right and mistake last
Paul Nicholls is taking it steady with PTIT ZIG, who will be at very short odds to repeat last week's Exeter victory. A Grade 1 winner over hurdles in France, his last two runs over timber were at that level at Cheltenham and Aintree so it was no surprise when he gained an easy victory on his chasing debut and he's a 16/1 chance for the Arkle. The four-year-old Arthur's Secret won over hurdles in France and has been placed twice there over fences so with his allowances he looks the one to take advantage of any mishaps. Lawsons Thorns has shown a bit of promise in bumpers and over hurdles unlike Attimo, who has been well beaten in all starts over timber.
Ptit Zig (FR) 2-9fav (11-1) Raced wide, mostly jumped well, tracked leader, led 5th, in control when not fluent 4 out, clear when went slightly right final 3, easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft beating Loyaute (10-8) by 10l, 4 ran.
Attimo (GER) 16-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, pushed along before 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Softsong (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Lawsons Thorns (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in last, took keen hold, not fluent 3 out, soon pushed along, well beaten 2 out, last of 5, 31l behind Honey Pound (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Arthur's Secret (FR) (10-7) 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Alaparo (11-2) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f 4yo chs sft in Jun.
