held up in rear, pushed along on inside 5f out, one pace and no impression final 2f
ran green in touch, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
chased leader, chased winner from 4f out, no impression over 1f out
chased leaders, one pace and no impression over 2f out
held up tracking leaders, headway to join leaders 8f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
held up tracking leaders, ridden along 5f out, soon lost place, tailed off
led until headed over 4f out, one pace in 4th when edged left under pressure final 2f
chased leaders, ridden 6f out, soon lost place, tailed off
raced widest of all and green early stages, in touch, headway to lead over 4f out, clear over 1f out, eased towards finish
This was won by the high-class Cue Card last year so Colin Tizzard will be hoping to complete the double with Jumps Road, who like most of these makes his debut. Charlie Longsdon won the previous running and his Kayf Tara gelding Magnifique Etoile, whose dam was a winning bumper, is one to note. But BATONNIER made a winning debut over the C&D and ran well enough under a penalty in a much stronger race at Newbury subsequently suggesting he will take some beating here. Victor Leudorum made a reasonable start at Southwell and will have come on for the experience but Paul Nicholls' newcomer, the French-bred Tieptiep, has a stamina-laden pedigree and will do well to make a winning debut over this trip.
Batonnier (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Towards rear, travelling well in mid-division 6f out, 3rd as field came into view final 110 yards, stayed on to close on well held 2nd close home, 3rd of 20, 17l behind African Broadway (11-2) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Caunay Generous gelding out of Chantilly Lady.
Jumps Road Clerkenwell gelding out of Diletia.
Magnifique Etoile Kayf Tara gelding out of Star Diva.
Milton Hill Compton Admiral gelding out of Stay With Me Baby.
Tieptiep (FR) Ungaro gelding out of Unetiepy.
Time Do (FR) Grand Tresor gelding out of Demoiselle Do.
Victor Leudorum (IRE) 28-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden and effort over 2f out, stayed on to chase leading pair over 1f out, no impression, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Knight Pass (11-12) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gs.
Beattie Green Beat Hollow filly out of Shades Of Green.
