Etendard Indien can enhance his Festival claims by outscoring Daryal and Absolut Power, with Innocent Rebel worth a mention. Although Nicky Henderson has not had the best of seasons so far, he will be optimistic of a good showing from his Cheltenham runners, and in particular Etendard Indien who will bid to boost his Triumph Hurdle claims here. A Group 3 winner on the Flat in France last September, he could hardly have been more impressive when sluicing up by 12 lengths on his debut over hurdles at Kempton 12 days ago, and this workout on a left-handed track should put him spot on for the Triumph. Alan King already has a leading contender in the shape of Penzance and should get a line to the form with Daryal here. The son of Night Shift was second to the useful Iron Man at Sandown last time and a good run here should set him up for the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on the Festival card. His stablemate Innocent Rebel pulled too hard at Sandown last time and is clearly the stable's second string today. A bigger threat may be Absolut Power who holds the latter anyway on a line through Redi who has beaten them both this season, and this ex-German Flat horse should improve in time. On this occasion though, it is hard to oppose Etendard Indien who gets a confident vote.
Daryal (IRE) 5-1 Tracked leaders, effort when mistake 2 out, soon no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Iron Man at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gs.
Etendard Indien (FR) 10-11fav Made all, clear after 4th, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gs beating Reservoir by 12l, 10 ran.
Show No Fear 7-2 Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed after 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 14, 36l behind Seeyaaj at Kelso 2m nov hdl (E) gd.
Absolut Power (GER) 5-2fav Settled behind leading pair, chased winner 6th, under pressure before 2 out, no impression before last, lost 2nd soon after, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Mr Dinglawi at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) sft.
Commemoration Day (IRE) 25-1 Led, headed approaching 2nd, left in lead after 2nd, headed 5th, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 4th of 12, 15l behind Always Waining at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (D) gd.
Field Power (USA) 33-1 Chased leaders, led after 4f, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 30l behind Sotovik at Carlisle 1m 6f 4yo nhf (H) sft.
Government (IRE) 150-1 Behind from 4th, 7th of 9, well behind At Your Request at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (B) gs.
Innocent Rebel (USA) 3-1jt-fav Took keen hold, effort to chase leaders before 2 out, one pace and no impression before last, 4th of 8, 8l behind Redi at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gd.
Lawgiver (IRE) 100-1 Mid-division, no impression from 3 out, 7th of 16, 43l behind Karelian at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (C) gd in Jan.
Patrixtoo (FR) 25-1 Led, came stands' side over 9f out, hung right and headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 10, 12l behind Always Waining at Newmarket 1m 4f clm (D2) sft in Oct (Flat).
Richie Boy 10-1 Took keen hold, led, headed after 6th, weakened quickly, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Always Waining at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) hvy in Jan.
Secret Bloom 50-1 Mid-division, some headway when mistake 2 out, no impression when mistake last, 7th of 12, 21l behind Devito at Leicester 2m nov clm hdl (F) hvy.
Soviet Joy (IRE) 6-1 Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 10, 48l behind Majlis at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (G) hvy in Jan.
Spes Bona (USA) 150-1 Led, headed after 1st, weakened 3 out, 8th of 16, 34l behind Dont Call Me Derek at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gs.
Apsara 66-1 Held up in touch, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 16, 44l behind Dont Call Me Derek at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gs.
Royaltea 100-1 Led after 1st until ran out at the 2nd in race won by Dont Call Me Derek at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gs, 16 ran.
Dumfries 66-1 Chased leader until after 3rd, prominent until ridden and weakened after 3 out, 4th of 9, 39l behind At Your Request at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (B) gs.
