led until 8th, not fluent 4 out, weakened before next
chasing leaders when awkward and sprawled on landing 1st, closed 5th, losing place when mistake 6th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
chased leading pair after 1st, closed 5th, mistake 8th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged next, led before 2 out, clear last, comfortably
held up, closed 5th, nudged along and outpaced from 8th, weakened 4 out, went 3rd 2 out
took keen hold, pressed leader, led 8th, headed before 2 out, beaten when not fluent last
A potentially-informative beginners' chase which features several novices who had smart form over hurdles last season. The four-year-old Bristol De Mai won the Grade 1 Finale Hurdle at Chepstow in December and was a close-up third in another Grade 1 at Aintree in April. He'll be a danger to all with his weight-for-age allowance but was beaten more than eight lengths behind GARDE LA VICTOIRE (NAP) at Sandown in January. Philip Hobbs' charge has won more than half of his career starts to date and could be a star over the larger obstacles. Astre De La Cour and City Slicker are other interesting recruits but Regal Encore, though certain to improve for his run at Chepstow, will probably need further.
Astre De La Cour (FR) 8-1fav (11-3) Soon mid-division, not fluent 3 out, no impression straight, one pace, 18th of 25, 20 1/4l behind Some Article (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
City Slicker (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Led, ridden after 2 out, strongly pressed at last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 18, 2l behind Cool Macavity (10-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Apr.
Garde La Victoire (FR) 11-4 (11-4) 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, won at Sandown 2m lst (1) sft in Jan beating Jollyallan (11-2) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Regal Encore (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up in last, not always fluent, pushed along after 11th, well beaten 5 out, 5th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Cocktails At Dawn (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f (2) gd in Oct.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 8-1fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind All Yours (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Minellaforleisure (IRE) 5-1fav (10-12) Held up behind, tracked leaders approaching 2 out, challenged on inside last, ridden to lead flat, headed final 75 yards, no extra, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Hurricane Hollow (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
