made virtually all, pushed along approaching 2 out, joined last, narrowly headed run-in, battled on gamely to regain lead final 100 yards, in command close home
hit 1st, took keen hold, settled 3rd, closer order travelling strongly when mistake 2 out, went 2nd before the last, upsides last, edged right under pressure and nosed ahead run-in, headed final 100 yards, no extra and held towards finish
took keen hold tracking winner, closed approaching 2 out, pushed along and held when lost 2nd before the last, weakened run-in
always last, never a factor, tailed off
The drop back to 2m won't bother Garde La Victoire as he won the Greatwood Hurdle in the autumn. He's won five of his 11 starts over timber but is a lot more exposed than his rivals and conceding weight all round. Jollyallan is three from three over hurdles and working his way steadily through the ranks. This is his stiffest task to date but he has a couple of entries at Cheltenham so connections obviously think he is capable of holding his own in this grade. BRISTOL DE MAI hardly came off the bridle in winning a Grade 1 at Chepstow on his first start for Nigel Twiston-Davies. He's already among the market leaders for the Triumph Hurdle and is hard to oppose here with his weight-for-age allowance. The mare Flute Bowl is facing a thankless task on these terms.
Garde La Victoire (FR) 11-4fav (11-10) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 4 out, pushed along and every chance 2 out, one pace into 3rd soon after, no chance with leading duo, dropped to 4th towards finish, 4th of 8, 7l behind Baradari (10-4) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) sft.
Jollyallan 5-4fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led approaching 2out, edged left and ridden out, won at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Sempre Medici (11-8) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, headway after 4th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, clear from last, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Dec beating Karezak (11-0) by 6l, 10 ran.
Flute Bowl 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led narrowly 4th until 6th, chased leader, led again approaching 2 out until between last 2, weakened into 4th when blundered last, lost 4th run-in, 5th of 6, 18l behind Aurore D'estruval (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f mrs hdl (listed) (4yo+) (1) sft.
