led until propped, went left and unseated rider 1st
chased leading trio and off the pace, blundered 11th, went 3rd before 4 out, no chance with leading duo, hit 2 out, tailed off
jumped left, left in lead 2nd, made most after, pushed along and joined 3 out, asserted next, soon came clear, shaken up after last, easily
left chasing winner 2nd, challenged and every chance 3 out, held next, no extra
tracked leading pair, ridden and no impression when dropped to 4th before 4 out, pulled up after 4 out
well in rear, mistake 3rd, never remotely involved, left poor 4th after 4 out, tailed off
Zaynar was soon left behind by Sprinter Sacre and company in the Game Spirit at Newbury eight days ago. He'll be better suited by this longer trip and going back right-handed but possibly lacks a bit of scope now in comparison to CRISTAL BONUS. Highly tried over hurdles last season after arriving from France, the six-year-old looked as though he had a big future over fences when winning by 25 lengths on his chasing bow at Chepstow and can follow up here. Duke Of Lucca was well backed for a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham last time but pulled up after making several jumping errors and may need his confidence restoring. Just as interesting is Minella Class, who still held every chance when unseating his rider in Cue Card's race at Newbury in December and holds several entries at The Festival.
Zaynar (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Led until 2nd, tracked leaders, outpaced from 5 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 21l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-5) at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs.
Life Of A Luso (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Always in rear, mistake 4th, slow and driven 11th, tailed off, 11th of 17, well behind Exmoor Ranger (10-10) at Ascot 3m Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Oct.
Cristal Bonus (FR) 4-9fav (11-0) Held up, hit 2nd, headway 6th, went 2nd after 11th, led 4 out, clear from next, eased towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chase (4) hvy in Jan beating Simply Wings (11-0) by 25l, 6 ran.
Duke Of Lucca (IRE) 5-1 (10-1) In touch, hit 6th, not much room and lost place next, blundered 8th, behind 11th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Calgary Bay (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Minella Class (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Tracked leading pair, disputing 2nd 5th (water), definite 2nd 9th, challenging when sprawled on landing and unseated rider next, in a race won by Cue Card (11-7) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Dec, 4 ran.
Will Scarlet (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in touch in last, ridden and outpaced in 4th before 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, well behind The Falklander (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
