mid-division, blundered 6th, jumped right 9th, headway and in touch on outside after 12th, jumped right again next, weakened 4 out, soon tailed off and refused
in touch on outside, lost place when jumped slowly 8th, soon behind, tailed off 5 out, soon pulled up
behind, headway into mid-division on inside 5th, outpaced 12th, chased leaders under pressure 4 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden and outpaced after 5 out, kept on same pace, weakened 2 out
mid-division, in touch 4th, driven and outpaced after 4 out, left 4th 2 out, no impression with leaders
tracked leaders, joined leader after 12th, led before 4 out, ridden after 3 out, headed and dropped to 3rd when fell next
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 5th, tracked leaders on outside 4 out, led going well approaching 2 out, drew readily clear from last
in touch on inside, effort 4 out, every chance next, kept on until ridden and no chance with winner from last
led, headed before 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, left 3rd 2 out, no impression with leading pair approaching last
behind, outpaced when mistake 12th, weakened 5 out, soon tailed off and pulled up
pressed leader, blundered 12th, soon lost place, weakened and pulled up after 5 out
chased leaders, hit and lost place 2nd, behind when pulled up before 7th
mid-division, lost place 5th, soon behind, struggling 7th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
This looks a really competitive hunter chase as Billyvoddan is a prolific winner between the flags and scored at Cheltenham in May. Alvorado won all three starts over fences last season and probably has more scope than any of his rivals, while The Polomoche, Turko, Chapoturgeon and Cloudy Lane have all shown smart form under Rules in the past. Now Listen To Me and Seymar Lad are consistent sorts but Sheila Crow's mare MY FLORA looks a decent prospect and has fitness on her side, having won a point-to-point at Chaddesley Corbett last month - she gets the vote.
Alvarado (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd and in rear, blundered 1st, chased leader from 10th, ridden to lead last, kept on well, ridden out, won at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) sft in Mar beating Pennek (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 3 ran.
Billyvoddan (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Ap; led aft 3 out; sn clr, won at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp gd in Dec beating Sagalyrique (11-0) by 12l, 13 ran.
I Have Dreamed (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Prominent, weakened 3 out, 4th and beaten when mistake last, 4th of 12, 17l behind Takeroc (11-7) at Stratford 2m 1f hts chs (5) gd in May.
The Polomoche (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Ap; led 10 til hdd last; ro, 2nd of 9, hd behind Master Medic (12-0) at Barbury Racecourse 3m ptp gd in Dec.
Turko (FR) 7-1 (11-0) (tt) prom til wknd 3 out, 4th of 18, 15l behind Description (11-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp.
My Flora 4-6 (12-0) Hdwy 12; led 15; impressive, won at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp gd in Dec beating Rosies Peacock (12-7) by 6l, 16 ran.
Chapoturgeon (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, raced awkwardly and got well behind from 6th, mistake next, headway 11th, modest 5th when blundered 3 out, weakened, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Wishfull Thinking (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Jan '11.
Cloudy Lane 25-1 (11-3) Always rear division, 8th of 40, 49l behind Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '10.
Now Listen To Me 11-1 (11-3) Led, hit 4 out, joined 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Dammam (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (3) gf in May.
Our Bob (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Not fluent 1st, tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon one pace, no impression approaching next, 4th of 6, 29l behind Wake Board (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Picts Hill 20-1 (12-0) Eff up 15; wknd app 2 out, 6th of 10, 27l behind Galway Jack (12-7) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp gd in Dec.
Ruud Revenge (USA) 8-1 (12-0) A bhnd, 6th of 11, 20l behind Kalulushi (12-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp gd in Dec.
Seymar Lad (IRE) 4-6 (12-3) Led 11; easy, won at Tweseldown 3m ptp gs in Dec beating Royal Tir (12-3) by 35l, 4 ran.