Close up in rear, smooth headway on outside on long run before 2 out, every chance last, ridden and unable to quicken flat, just got better of duel for 3rd near finish op 16/1
Close up, shaken up between last 2, every chance last, ridden and outpaced flat, just lost out in duel for 3rd near finish op 5/2 tchd 2/1 and tchd 11/4
Defi Du Seuil (11/8), Saint Calvados (85/40), Politologue (5/2), Simply Ned (20/1)
A cracking contest despite the small field, and preference for last season's Champion Chase runner-up POLITOLOGUE is only marginal. Defi Du Seuil will be a big stumbling block to the selection if fully fit, but he has needed a run in recent seasons, and perhaps recent C&D winner Saint Calvados will prove the biggest danger with his fitness guaranteed.