held up in rear but in touch, mistake 2nd, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off when jumped badly right last
led, under pressure when mistake last, soon headed and hampered, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, mistake 7th, ridden to challenge after 2 out, led after last, soon headed and slightly bumped, kept on under pressure close home
chased leaders, under pressure after 2 out, ridden to lead after last, soon hung badly left, ran on well (1 fence omitted)
With three winners in the last six renewals, Paul Nicholls' launches a strong challenge running both Vibrato Valtat and IRISH SAINT. The former failed to reel-in Dunraven Storm at Cheltenham last month and Sam Twiston-Davies prefers the latter. The recent course and distance winner beat subsequent winner Chris Pea Green 10 lengths and collateral form just gives him the edge over the progressive Court Minstrel. Evan Williams' charge won nicely at Cheltenham last time and will be no pushover in this.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Raced keenly, held up in touch, slightly hampered 3rd, tracked leaders 3 out, poised to challenge on outside between last 2, shaken up to lead flat, soon clear, ran on, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd in Oct beating Chris Pea Green (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Dunraven Storm (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Led, jumped right at times and not always fluent, headed after 4th, led next, headed 4 out, hit last, led flat, edged right towards finish, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov beating Vibrato Valtat (11-6) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Irish Saint (FR) 4-5fav (11-1) Soon led, jumped well, headed after 4 out, rallied to lead again last, driven clear, easily, won at Sandown 2m nov chs (2) gs in Nov beating Chris Pea Green (11-1) by 10l, 3 ran.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 13-8fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, closed before next, ridden and went 2nd towards finish, unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Dunraven Storm (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov.
