tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, one pace and no chance with winner
tracked leaders, a close 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
in rear and in touch, blundered 6th, weakened from 10th, pulled up before 2 out
made all, clear from 11th
tracked winner, well held when blundered badly 3 out, soon lost 2nd, one pace
CAID DU BERLAIS is likely to be a short price to make a winning start over fences. Placed in Grade 1 and Grade 3 races over hurdles last season, he chased home Champion Hurdle prospect Jezki in a Grade 2 at Down Royal on his reappearance and should be in a different league to these, though Pistol is another interesting recruit to chasing having won a couple of times over timber last season. This may be a bit sharp for Farmer Matt but he's still preferred to Nail'M and Salut L'as.
Farmer Matt (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Always in rear, 14th of 19, 50l behind Fleet Dawn (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in Mar.
Nail 'm (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, hit 4th, pushed along and not fluent 4 out, went modest 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Tigresse Bleue (11-13) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hcp 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Salut L'as (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Prominent on inner, soon close up, weakened before 4 out, 5th of 7, 45l behind Brave Buck (12-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
Caid Du Berlais (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leader in 3rd, pushed along after 3 out and ridden to go 2nd last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Jezki (11-10) at Down Royal 2m hdl G2 (1) in Nov.
Pistol (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked winner until 3rd, chased leading pair, weakened 3 out (normal 4 out), 4th of 6, 20l behind Handazan (10-10) at Chepstow 2m Limited hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
