tracked leader 1st, left in lead on long run before 3rd, steadied into 2nd place 3 out, led on bit 2 out, quickened clear from the last, not extended
held up in 4th place, closer tracking leading pair 3rd, switched left and went 2nd 2 out, upsides last, readily outpaced run-in
tracked leader until 1st, chased leading pair until before 3rd, behind and mistake next, pulled up and collapsed before 3 out
ran in snatches, led until tried to pull himself up and headed on long run before 3rd, in front again 3 out, driven and headed just before next, soon weakened
held up in 5th, closer in 4th place at 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, 3rd between last 2, no chance with leading duo
BUVEUR D’AIR’s long unbeaten record was brought to an end by stablemate Verdana Blue at Kempton but it would be an even bigger shock if the Champion Hurdler didn’t get back on track for Cheltenham here as he beat Vision Des Flos 21 lengths in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle earlier and won this last year. Rayvin Black hasn’t won over hurdles in almost three years and De Dollar Man is a chaser having a confidence-booster over a trip too short. Roksana was also racing over longer distance last season and she faces a stiff task on her reappearance.
Buveur D'Air (FR) 1-4fav (11-7) Held up in touch, headway 5th, went second when hit 3 out, led next, soon ridden, headed post, 2nd of 5, shd behind Verdana Blue (11-0) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Vision Des Flos (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Mostly 2nd until led before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, lost 2nd and stayed on same pace, 5th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Brain Power (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Dec.
De Dollar Man (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up off the pace in 6th, lost place and towards rear when awkward 7th, pulled up quickly before 8th, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Rayvin Black 16-1 (11-7) Pulled hard, led after 1st, hit 11th, driven along and headed 2 out weakened soon after, 4th of 5, dist behind Kildisart (10-10) at Ascot 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec.
Roksana (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, not much room 2 out, soon switched right, went 2nd before last, every chance when flashed tail flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Santini (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
