hit 1st, always behind
in touch, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace flat
held up, headway 6th, ridden after 2 out, kept on flat
held up in rear, headway when stumbled 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
keen, in touch, ridden when hit 2 out and last, one pace flat
held up, effort after 6th, soon weakened
chased leader to after 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
led, hit 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, stayed on flat, no chance with winner
chased leaders to 6th, soon behind
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden clear from last, ran on
towards rear, ridden and headway when mistake 3 out, one pace flat
held up, headway 6th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders to 6th, soon behind
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
always behind
The much improved Medison can confirm his superiority over Handy Money, Crossbow Creek and Stance, while Chivalry can also go well but faces no easy task at the weights. Stance again teams up with Tony McCoy and the partnership will no doubt be seen to good effect as things unfold. However, the six-year-old has been done for toe in the closing stages of late and appears to face an uphill fight this afternoon. Crossbow Creek has improved all year and is a credit to his connections. However, he too has a little to find with the selection and, as he has now had several hard races this term, he could be vulnerable today. Therefore, a bigger threat may come from Handy Money, whose defeat of County Hurdle winner Fontenesi looks solid in the context of this race. However, it is safe to assume that Martin Pipe has every corner covered in his assessment of the form and it will no surprise to see Medison pull out a fair bit more when he is asked to go about his business here.
Chivalry 16-1 In rear, ridden 3 out, kept on under pressure 2 out, one pace when hit last, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Self Defense at Sandown 2m lst hdl (A) gs in Feb.
Copeland 40-1 In touch, pushed along after 3rd, chased leader after 3 out until after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 17th of 30, 25l behind Fontanesi at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Crossbow Creek 16-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, one pace flat, 5th of 30, 7l behind Fontanesi at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Medison (FR) 9-2fav Held up smooth headway on bit before 2 out, upsides last, soon led and quickened clear, eased near finish, won at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Mar beating Fenix by 3 1/2l, 19 ran.
Stance 11-1 Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, every chance after last, kept on flat but not pace of winner, 2nd of 30, 2l behind Fontanesi at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Grande Jete (SAF) 14-1 Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, driven clear approaching last, hit last, soon headed, not recover, 4th of 30, 6l behind Fontanesi at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Handy Money 2-1fav Held up, headway and hit 3 out, drew clear with leader next, led approaching last, ran on well, ridden out, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Mar beating Fontanesi by 2l, 8 ran.
Green Tango 10-1 Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, no impression on leaders when not fluent last, 7th of 21, 13l behind Stance at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Mar.
Lunar Crystal (IRE) 11-4fav Led, ridden 3 out, headed last, soon beaten, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Nyrche at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Mar.
Atahuelpa 6-1 Towards rear, headway approaching 7th, joined leaders and narrow lead 2 out, headed approaching last, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Baron De Feypo at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Mar.
Say What You See (IRE) 10-1 Led and set quick pace, clear 3rd, ridden when headed narrowly 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Baron De Feypo at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Mar.
King Eider 12-1 Always behind, 14th of 19, 27l behind Medison at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Mar.
Definate Spectacle (IRE) 12-1 Tracked leaders on inner, bad mistake and unseated rider in race won by Bon Temps Rouler at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft in Mar, 16 ran.
Boleyknowsbest (IRE) 16-1 Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, badly hampered 3 out, soon no extra, 8th of 16, more than 14l behind Bon Temps Rouler at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft in Mar.
Wiscalitus (GER) 6-1 Took keen hold in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, chased winner next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 16, 10l behind Italiano at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Fireball Macnamara (IRE) 20-1 Held up, headway 3 out, stayed on one pace from next, 3rd of 13, 18l behind Kasthari at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Jan.
Victram (IRE) 7-1 Mid-division, 12th halfway, progress straight, challenged 2 out, ridden and soon led, clear when slight mistake last, stayed on well, won at Naas 2m hcp hdl gs in Mar beating General Alarm by 7l, 25 ran.
Damien's Choice (IRE) 50-1 Held up, still last 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on, no chance, 4th of 10, 16l behind Hattington at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Mar.
Stan (NZ) 200-1 Behind, pushed along 4th, never dangerous, 11th of 20, 28l behind Arcalis at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
