virtually refused to race, always behind
mid-division, headway 6th, chased leaders from 7th, hit next, ridden 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on but not reached winner
tracked leader until not fluent 6th, weakened 8th
led, ridden when headed 2 out, weakened flat
tracked leader from 6th, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on all out
held up, some progress 4 out, weakened 3 out
Two big guns on view and we pick Cerium to see off Garde Champetre in a decent chase. Paul Nicholls charge has been popular in the ante-post markets for Cheltenham's novice prizes and its easy to see why. Fourth in the Triumph Hurdle - he has always looked a potential chaser and the Ditcheat handler could not have been more bullish about him over the winter. Garde Champetre did win a Grade 2 Hurdle for Nicholls before injury and then a big money purchase saw him join the ranks of JP McManus and Jonjo O'Neill. He looked a very classy individual during his hurdling days but today's trip and that long absence are all offputting from a punting perspective. As a five-year-old he also has to give 13lb away to his younger rival. Goblin also has the four-year-old allowance. He could be the one to profit from any mistakes. He jumps well over the larger obstacles and does appear to hold his form when small fields attain. Nuit Sombre is likely to set the pace this afternoon. Of the remainder, Neltina has bits and pieces of form against quality opposition but her jumping has let her down in the past. Wilfred has understandably been deserted by AP McCoy. A race for the video and one that should go to Cerium.
Dabus 100-1 (11-6) Held up in touch and keen, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 8, 34l behind Albuhera (11-6) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (E) sft.
Garde Champetre (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway after 4 out, led approaching last, stayed on, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Apr '04 beating Monet's Garden (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Led, weakened and headed approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mouseski (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd, 18 ran.
Neltina 5-1jt-fav (10-9) Behind, headway and in touch when blundered 13th, ridden to chase leading pair from 3 out until weakened next, 5th of 10, 12l behind Full House (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Apr.
Cerium (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind Faasel (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Apr.
Goblin 13-2 (10-7) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, switched left approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, 4th of 8, 2l behind Rooster's Reunion (11-6) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (E) gf.
Wilfred (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, not fluent 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 11, 25l behind Mister Moussac (10-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Sept.
