prominent, nudged along gently 5 lengths off winner before 3 out, not fluent and landed awkwardly 2 out, ridden and closed flat, too much to do
pulled hard on outside, handy, lost place before 6th, not fluent 7th, slow and weakened 4 out
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 5th, went 3rd before 3 out, no impression
held up, raced keenly, closed after 5th, 5 lengths ahead before 3 out, edged left flat, ridden out
led, not fluent 7th, headed 4 out, disputing 3rd and beaten when lost action and pulled up before 3 out
Chives, a half-brother to stable’s winning hurdler Mill Green, was well beaten at Wincanton but should have learned from the experience. However, FRANCO D’AUNOU easily beat the odds-on Champagnesuperover at Chepstow and is hard to oppose under a penalty if he handles the quicker conditions. Artemision was last of three finishers here in the autumn and unseated his rider in his only start since at Warwick.
Franco D'Aunou (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Made all, narrow advantage when ridden before 2 out, drew clear before last, driven out flat, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) hvy in Feb beating Champagnesuperover (11-8) by 9 1/2l, 12 ran.
Artemision 18-1 (11-4) Held up in midfield, blundered and unseated 1st, at Warwick 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.
Chives 9-2 (11-2) Held up off the pace towards rear, headway to go prominent in chasing group after 3 out, weakened between last 2, 6th of 15, 30 1/2l behind Balko Saint (10-8) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Mar.
Grooveur (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Held up, outpaced in 4th 4 out, went 3rd before mistake 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 34l behind Jay Bee Why (11-8) at Warwick 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
Snowpiercer (FR) 200-1 (10-12) Led until headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, dist behind Fancy Foundations (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
