chased leaders, jumped slowly 2nd, soon pushed along, gradually lost place, behind from 6th
led until after 2nd, always in touch on inside, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, ridden and disputing 6th, keeping on same pace when fell 3 out
held up, headway on outside approaching 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out
always behind
held up towards rear, slightly hampered 3 out, never near leaders
mid-division, some headway on inside 9th, no impression approaching 3 out
prominent, hit 9th, lost place after 10th, in rear when badly hampered 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 8th, prominent 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 7th, weakened after 4 out
held up, ridden along after 7th, never on terms
held up, hampered 1st, headway after 8th, kept on same pace from last
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, weakened after 3 out
prominent, hit 2nd, weakening when mistake 9th
mid-division, lost place after 4th, never dangerous after
chased leaders, led approaching 8th, headed and weakened quickly before being brought down 3 out
mid-division, headway on outside approaching 8th, led before 3 out, headed between last 2, switched right after last, kept on
led after 2nd, headed before mistake 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 9th, already weakening before being hampered 3 out
mid-division, headway on inside after 5th, went 2nd before 3 out, led between last 2, ridden and ran on well flat
Nonrunner
Albertas Run has done little wrong of late and is taken to defy his latest rise in the weights, getting the vote ahead of Gidam Gidam and Overstrand. The last mentioned was highly tried in the World Hurdle last month and may do better back in this grade but seems a shade high in the weights so may be best watched. Jonjo O'Neill's Refinement has not really convinced over hurdles but remains potentially well treated, while Lord Sam may now be in the grip of the handicapper. Irish Wolf should do better back on a more suitable surface today, while Verasi is another to consider but is not certain to stay. Albertas Run has similarly yet to prove his effectiveness over this trip but has given every indication that it would suit and he gets the vote to win again.
Lord Sam (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hit 9th, not fluent 10th, struggling from 11th, soon behind, 16th of 23, 42l behind Joes Edge (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Irish Wolf (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 9, well behind Blazing Bailey (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Overstrand (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, ridden and beaten 4 out, 12th of 14, well behind Inglis Drever (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Refinement (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, lost place 7th, ridden and headway after 2 out, weakened last, 15th of 24, 34l behind Oscar Park (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Verasi 16-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 21st of 28, 20l behind Burntoakboy (9-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Mistanoora 33-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 9th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on, 4th of 24, 4 1/2l behind Oscar Park (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, no progress from 3 out, 14th of 28, 15l behind Burntoakboy (9-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Valley Ride (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 3 out, switched left and effort approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Material World (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Oscatello (USA) 8-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 6th, mistake 7th, chased winner 2 out until approaching last, one pace flat, 4th of 28, 10l behind Burntoakboy (9-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Gidam Gidam (IRE) 11-8fav (12-2) Chased leaders, ridden to lead last, driven clear, won at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Mar beating Cousin Nicky (11-11) by 5l, 8 ran.
Arctic Echo 8-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on well towards finish, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Bedlam Boy (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Penny Pictures (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 8th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 13, 27l behind Predator (10-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Opera de Coeur (FR) 14-1 (10-13) In touch and keen, chased winner after 4 out, ridden and disputed lead last, one pace flat, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Michael Muck (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Freetown (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, hampered 5th, ridden after 2 out, gradually faded, 12th of 24, 24l behind Oscar Park (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Mac Federal (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, one pace approaching last, 5th of 20, 23l behind Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) In touch, mistake 3rd, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 17, 19l behind Gaspara (10-5) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy in Mar.
Lyes Green 7-2fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, led after 3 out, headed towards finish, kept on, 2nd of 16, nk behind Mckelvey (11-5) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Fastaffaran (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up, headway to challenge 4 out, every chance from next, ridden, just held flat, 2nd of 7, hd behind Chief Dan George (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Jockser (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) Behind, struggling and lost touch 2 out, stayed on again from last, 10th of 24, 19l behind Oscar Park (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Just Beth 10-1 (11-7) Chased leaders until 3 out, 5th of 16, 22l behind Mckelvey (11-5) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Albertas Run (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, led 2 out, kept on strongly flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Mar beating Double Eagle (10-10) by 4l, 16 ran.
Hills Of Aran 11-4 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, chased leaders after 3 out, stayed on, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Carlitos (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) gs in Mar.
