jumped well, made all, clear from 3rd, heavily eased run-in, unextended
chased winner throughout, pushed along before 2 out, never any chance but kept on well for clear 2nd
held up in last pair, headway into 4th approaching 3 out, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, went modest 3rd run-in
took keen hopld tracking leading pair, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, mistake last, weakened into 4th run-in
chased leaders, pushed along after 3rd, dropped to rear next, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in last pair, pushed along and strugging before 3 out, tailed off
ROMAIN DE SENAM won a hurdles race in France back in April and has subsequently joined Paul Nicholls. He may well be good enough in this as none of today's rivals have looked like winning yet. Cahill finished closer last time but was still beaten a long way in third as was Albert Herring at Fontwell on his hurdling debut. The Coffee Hunter was placed on the Flat in France in April and hurdling newcomer Woofie is rated higher on the level than Ventura Castle, tailed off at Newton Abbot last time.
Romain De Senam (FR) (10-5) won at Enghien 2m mdn sft in Apr beating Fingertips (10-7) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Albert Herring 33-1 (10-12) Pressed leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, no chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Oceane (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Cahill (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Keen, chased clear winner until approaching 2 out, keeping on same pace when left 3rd at last, 3rd of 6, 14 1/2l behind Big McIntosh (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Oct.
The Coffee Hunter (FR) (9-2) 12th of 14, 16 1/4l behind Tambourin (9-2) at Chantilly 1m 1f hvy in Mar.
Ventura Castle 6-1 (10-10) Prominent until jumped slowly 2nd, chased leaders, not fluent 3rd or 4th, ridden and struggling 5th, weakened from next, last of 5, dist behind Doubly Clever (10-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gs in Jul.
Woofie (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Sky Cape (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Oct.