soon led, bad mistake and headed 7th, soon pushed along and struggling
mid-division, went 3rd 7th, pressed leaders after 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
prominent, led 7th, faced challenge 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on gamely and asserted final 110 yards on run-in
mid-division, went 2nd 7th, pressed leader 3 out, pushed along 2 out, every chance last, ridden and no extra final 110 yards on flat
in rear, headway into 4th 4 out, pushed along home turn, no impression and stayed on same pace
handy, lost position and dropped to rear 6th, always behind thereafter
NonRunner
A cracking handicap in which none are ruled out. Veteran Bun Doran wound back the clock at Sandown last month and Rouge Vif was rated 163 when running in the Champion Chase in 2021. The latter hasn’t won for a long time, however, and was more than eight lengths behind the novice SAINT SEGAL in a higher grade at Doncaster in January. Jane Williams’ five-year-old is only 2lb higher here and can get back to winning ways. Hasankey is almost certain to run his race again and Red Rookie looked to be coming to hand when third at Sandown. Grandeur D'Ame has won his last two but was beaten by the selection at Chepstow in the autumn. Lac De Constance is useful but hasn’t won since his chasing debut, though did win around here over hurdles last season.
Lac De Constance (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in last pair, closer in 3rd before 6th, one pace and held when hit 2 out, weakened into 4th early run-in, 4th of 5, 9l behind Hudson De Grugy (10-5) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Saint Segal (FR) 13-8fav (11-1) Held up in rear of mid-division, shaken up 4 out, ridden along and switched right after 3 out, stayed on strongly to go second final 110yds, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Malystic (12-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Red Rookie 7-2jfav (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 3rd, went 2nd 5th, challenged 3 out, 3rd and beaten last, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Third Time Lucki (11-11) at Sandown 1m 7f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Hasankey (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Bit keen tracking leaders, 3rd and pushed along when bad mistake 3 out, stayed on same pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 5 3/4l behind Prince Escalus (11-8) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Bun Doran (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up in 4th, pushed along after 4 out, headway out wide before next, went 2nd before 2 out, challenged last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on gamely, won at Sandown 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Feb beating Corrigeen Rock (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Grandeur D'ame (FR) 11-8fav (12-0) Made all, pushed along and went clear after 2 out, unchallenged, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Thelasthighking (11-13) by 17l, 5 ran.
Rouge Vif (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Wide tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up next, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
