mid-division on outside, pushed along 14th, headway after next, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened and pulled up before last
chased leaders on outside, went 2nd 3rd, led 4 out, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
chased leaders, challenged 2 out, led before last, clear flat, driven out
held up towards rear, jumped left at times, mistake 2nd, not fluent 11th, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on, no impression on winner
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division on inside, mistake 7th, struggling when mistake 15th, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, pulled up before 11th
mid-division, slow and towards rear 5th, mistake 13th, closed from 3 out, no impression and lost 4th flat
chased leaders, lost place 15th, well beaten 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
rear of mid-division, not fluent and pushed along 12th, switched right before 15th, no impression
led until 2nd, chased leaders, challenged 3 out, led next but hard pressed, headed before last, no impression on winner flat, stayed on
jumped right 1st, led next until 4 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 9th, headway after 15th, went 4th flat, unable to challenge, stayed on
NonRunner
This often goes to an up-and-coming chaser and HAPPYGOLUCKY fits the bill this year. He appeared to be travelling best of all turning for home in the Ultima but a mistake at the last put paid to his chances of overhauling a rejuvenated Vintage Clouds. That was his first run in a handicap over fences and only his second try beyond 2m5f under Rules so there should be plenty more to come. Sam Brown looked a smart prospect last season until something went awry and he was pulled up when favourite for the Reynoldstown at Ascot. He’s had just the one run this year, in October, but wasn’t beaten far by the subsequent Grade 2 winner Imperial Aura when conceding 2lb so could be favourably treated. Top Notch isn’t very big but ran a cracker under a big weight behind The Shunter at Cheltenham and Luca Morgan again takes off 7lb. Spiritofthegames has place claims back over fences and there are also each-way possibilities about the National Hunt Chase fourth Snow Leopardess but Hold The Note continues to flatter to deceive.
Top Notch (FR) 50-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, driven after 3 out, 2nd from 2 out, unable to trouble winner and lost 2nd flat, just held onto 3rd, 3rd of 21, 6 1/4l behind The Shunter (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Lalor (GER) 6-1 (11-11) Always prominent, ridden after 3 out, every chance last, stayed on, held by winner towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Cepage (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Happygolucky (IRE) 10-3fav (11-1) Chased leaders, closed going well 4 out, went 2nd from 2 out, 1/2 length down when mistake last, held flat, kept on, 2nd of 16, 5 1/2l behind Vintage Clouds (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Spiritofthegames (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway before the last, ridden and no impression run-in, 8th of 22, 10 1/4l behind Mrs Milner (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Fagan 5-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led going well and dived at last, soon clear, won at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Ouro Branco (11-6) by 8l, 10 ran.
Mr Whipped (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, close up 4 out, left 3rd next, soon driven and one pace, ridden and well held in 4th between last 2, 4th of 6, 13 1/2l behind Lostintranslation (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Cloudy Glen (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear, not fluent 1st, mistake 9th and 14th, headway when mistake 16th, went 2nd after 2 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 21, 6 1/2l behind Mount Ida (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Ofalltheginjoints (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, not fluent 17th, tried to close after 4 out, no impression, not fluent and weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 6f (1) gs in Mar.
Hold The Note (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, outpaced when mistake 3 out, rallied 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 21, 20 1/4l behind Mount Ida (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Snow Leopardess 16-1 (10-13) Chased leaders on inside, outpaced in 5th when switched right before 2 out, went 4th from last, kept on but no impression, 4th of 12, 17l behind Galvin (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 6f (1) gs in Mar.
Johnbb (IRE) 11-4fav (11-11) In touch, hit 9th and next, headway 12th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, held when fell next, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Kilfilum Cross (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, hit 9th, headway 14th, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 21, dist behind Mount Ida (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Calipso Collonges (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway into midfield 12th, chased leaders 15th, ridden approaching 4 out, close up 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Head To The Stars (10-11) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Sam Brown 11-2 (11-8) Led, headed narrowly 12th, still close up 3 out where ridden, kept on from 2 out, faded close home, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Imperial Aura (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Ramses De Teillee (FR) 40-1 (11-10) Led until after 1st, chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, beaten 3 out, weakened flat, 9th of 20, 11 3/4l behind Time To Get Up (10-10) at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar.
