led until after 1st, prominent until lost place 9th, slightly hampered 21st, headway next, pushed along 26th, led last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, ridden after 28th, one pace flat
behind when blundered and unseated rider 4th
behind, headway 24th, hampered 27th, ridden when not fluent 2 out, not clear run bend approaching last, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 24th, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, kept on
with leaders, jumped slowly 1st, led 3rd to 13th, led again 15th, mistake and headed 18th, 5th when fell 21st
mid-division, headway 15th, led 25th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, led 13th to 15th, led again18th to 19th, led again to 23rd, outpaced and not fluent 2 out, kept on flat
towards rear, headway 19th, hampered 21st, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before 28th
not fluent, led after 1st to 3rd, prominent when mistake and unseated rider 11th
in touch, disputing 6th when fell 27th
behind, mistake 21st, stayed on well approaching last, nearest at finish
mistake 3rd, always towards rear
held up, headway 10th, led 19th to 20th, led again 23rd, ridden and headed 25th, weakened 29th
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 27th
always towards rear, never near leaders
This unique contest can see Spot Thedifference continue his love affair with the cross-country circuit, and he is taken to see off the challenges of French Executive, Lord Noellie and Comanche War Paint. Enda Bolger certainly knows what it takes to get one ready to jump as witnessed by the victories of Spot Thedifference over the course and distance in November and December last year. It can be pointed out that he was rather lucky to collect on the first occasion as the leader Registana took the wrong course with two to jump, but there was no fluke about his second success here as he did it the hard way from the front to hold French Executive at bay. In addition he has appeared twice at the Festival, finishing third in the 1999 four-miler, and sixth in the 2003 Foxhunters' so will not be phased by events. Spot Thedifference had a recent outing over hurdles to blow the cobwebs away and will be a popular choice. We mentioned French Executive earlier and Paul Nicholls expects him to go well again after a breathing operation. Lord Noellie, winner of the 2000 Royal & SunAlliance Chase, adds a bit of class to the occasion, although the fact that he has been pulled up on his last two visits here does not inspire confidence. Comanche War Paint finished distressed behind the selection in November, but a recent victory at Taunton reveals that he is now back on song, and he too should be in the shake-up. Spot Thedifference is seen by the Irish as one of their bankers though, and on the evidence so far, their faith should be justified.
Spot Thedifference (IRE) 16-1 Settled 4th, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, trailing from next, 4th of 5, 35l behind Top Strategy at Navan 2m hdl hvy in Feb.
Lord Noelie (IRE) 16-1 Disputed lead until 3rd, remained prominent, chased winner 12th until 14th, weakened 16th and pulled up at the 17th in race won by Lord Of Illusion at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Jan, 11 ran.
Wild Tempo (FR) Lost place halfway, some late headway, 6th of 18, 13l behind Lazzoramic at Pau 2m 4f NH flat gd in Jan.
French Executive (IRE) 9-2 Held up, jumped slowly 16th, headway 25th, chased winner after 2 out, hung left approaching last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Spot Thedifference at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Dec.
Luzcadou (FR) 13-2 Held up in touch, hit 7th, ridden after 10th, kept on under pressure from 2 out, 4th of 8, 2l behind King Of The Arctic at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Jan.
Gun'n Roses II (FR) 3-1fav Made all, jumped left, clear after 14th, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m 6f hts chs (H) gs in Feb beating The Butterwick Kid by 12l, 13 ran.
Un Jour A Vassy (FR) 20-1 Mid-division, blundered 9th, ridden and lost place after 12th, behind when mistake 15th and pulled up at the 17th in race won by Lord Of Illusion at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Jan, 11 ran.
Village King (IRE) 7-1 Held up in touch, ridden and headway 13th, every chance when blundered badly 2 out, rallied last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Take The Stand at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gf in Oct '03.
Galapiat du Mesnil (FR) 13-8fav Led until headed 11th, stayed chasing leader to 2 out, beaten when hit last, 2nd of 12, 11l behind Unlimited Free at Folkestone 3m 1f hts chs (H) gs in Feb '04.
Just Maybe (IRE) 2-1fav Led, headed after 7th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 5th of 7, well behind Rowley Hill at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft.
Comanche War Paint (IRE) 4-1 Prominent, chased leader after 9th, ridden, challenged and led 2 out, driven out flat, won at Taunton 3m nov hdl (E) gs beating Grande Creole by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Mrs Be (IRE) 3-1 Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner from 4 out, stayed on towards finish but not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Earthmover at Fontwell 3m 2f hts chs (H) gs in Feb.
Smarty (IRE) 8-1 Chased leaders to 14th, steadily lost place, tailed off, 6th of 8, 20l behind Historic at Sandown 3m 5f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Dec.
Majed (FR) 10-1 Led and disputed, headed 9th, regained lead after 5 out, headed and slight mistake 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 4th of 14, 12l behind Native Beat at Downpatrick 3m 4f hcp chs gs in Feb.
Famfoni (FR) 10-1 Prominent, mistake 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before last, 6th of 10, 18l behind Spot Thedifference at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Dec.
Andrewjames (IRE) 6-1 Mid-division, not fluent early, 6th and ridden after slight mistake 5 out, 5th 2 out, ran on strongly from last to lead close home, won at Down Royal 2m 4f cnd hcp chs sft in Feb beating Amoreigh by 2l, 11 ran.
