not fluent, led, went badly right 1st, headed after 4 out, weakened and dropped to last before 3 out, regained modest 3rd soon after, no chance when blundered 2 out
mostly jumped well, chased leader, not fluent 4th, led on inside after 4 out, in command from 2 out, ridden clear before last, stayed on strongly
held up in close 4th, hit 4 out, went 3rd before until hit 3 out, soon beaten and eased, tailed off
tracked leading pair, chased winner approaching 3 out, no chance from next
Titan De Sarti arrived in this country with a tall reputation and was made favourite to beat Sam Winner on his hurdling debut at Cheltenham. Only fifth on that occasion, he was also slightly disappointing over this C&D last month when second to Third Intention. He will surely win races in time but could be worth opposing again in this with CEDRE BLEU. Lightly-raced, the Le Fou gelding was beaten less than four lengths by the useful Prince Pretender in a Listed contest at Auteuil on his only start over timber and it's taken for granted that he'll improve on that now with Paul Nicholls. Lapin Garou, another French import, might need this so Towcester winner Ultravox is taken to fill the minor placing.
Ultravox (USA) 2-1fav (10-5) Tracked leader, led 3 out, soon clear, ridden out flat, comfortably, won at Towcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft beating Miereveld (10-12) by 29l, 8 ran.
Cedre Bleu (FR) (10-1) 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Prince Pretender (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl sft in Sep.
Lapin Garou (FR) Martaline gelding out of Belle Grande.
Titan De Sarti (FR) 15-8 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th or 5th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed flat, no impression final 75 yards, 2nd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Third Intention (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Dec.
