mid-division in touch, headway 23rd (valentines), 5th 3 out, ridden and effort next, stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair elbow, no impression
mid-division on outside, blundered and unseated rider 10th
towards rear, hampered 6th (bechers brook), headway into mid-division 12th, outpaced 23rd (valentines), weakened and pulled up before 4 out
in touch when brought down 2nd
in touch, led 9th (valentines), headed 13th, chased leaders, 10th and under pressure when mistake and unseated rider 22nd (canal turn)
in touch when fell 6th (bechers brook)
mid-division, fell 6th (bechers brook)
mid-division on inside, hampered by loose horse after 16th (water), headway to track leaders 23rd (valentines), effort in 3rd and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, lost place and weakened flat
mid-division, fell 6th (bechers brook)
in touch, led 3rd to next, remained prominent, led again 15th (chair), blundered and headed 23rd (valentines), led again 3 out, ridden and pressed elbow, stayed on well flat, clear when edged right towards finish
in touch, mistake 3rd, outpaced 5 out, hampered next, soon ridden, 7th 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms
tracked leaders, went 2nd 21st (foinavon), led 23rd (valentines), headed 3 out, ridden and lost place approaching last, weakened flat
mid-division, outpaced 21st (foinavon), never near leaders
mid-division, outpaced 19th, never dangerous
mid-division, lost place 13th, no danger after, tailed off
in touch, fell 4th
with leaders on inside, hit 5 out, close up in 3rd and every chance when fell next
tracked leaders, left 3rd 4 out, effort 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, ridden and every chance passsing elbow, kept on under pressure, no extra final 110 yards
in touch, lost place 12th, behind when pulled up before 15th (chair)
tracked leaders, fell 2nd
mid-division, outpaced 21st (foinavon), soon struggling, behind when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 11th
chased leaders, fell 13th
chased leaders, lost place 17th, 11th and outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure from last, went 4th towards finish, no impression
held up behind, mistake 6th (bechers brook), never dangerous
behind, hampered 2nd and 6th (bechers brook), blundered 15th (chair), headway into mid-division 17th, weakened from 4 out
led to 3rd, led again next to 5th, chased leaders, lost place 22nd (canal turn), soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division when brought down 6th (bechers brook)
with leader, led 5th to 9th, led again 13th, headed 15th (chair), blundered 19th, lost place 5 out, pulled up before next
mid-division in touch, outpaced 5 out, weakened from 3 out
slowly away, behind when fell 1st
slowly away, in rear, headway and in touch 7th, outpaced 3 out, no impression approaching next
always behind, tailed off
towards rear, mistake 8th (canal turn), fell 18th
behind, hampered 6th (bechers brook), never dangerous
held up behind on outside when fell 4th
towards rear, struggling 21st (foinavon), no chance when fell 3 out
mid-division, struggling 20th, weakened 5 out, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced in 10th 3 out, never near leaders
mid-division, blundered 12th, mistake 15th (chair), behind from 5 out
The Grade 2 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse looked the best trial for this with The Midnight Club beating stablemate Arbor Supreme with Oscar Time third, Vic Venturi fourth and Bluesea Cracker sixth. The latter won the Irish National last April from Oscar Time but it's Sam Waley-Cohen's mount who looks the best of the Bobbyjo quintet this time. He's been specifically trained for this as has BACKSTAGE, who is taken to complete a famous double for Gordon Elliott, successful in 2007 with Silver Birch. Paul Carberry's mount was going well when impeded and unseating him at the 20th a year ago and his trainer has planned an unusual campaign that has seen him win two point-to-points. Becauseicouldntsee, runner-up in the National Hunt Chase last year, would have been the selection here but for sustaining an injury at Leopardstown in December as he looks just the type for this. Maybe next year, a remark that also applies to the novice Quinz, winner of the Racing Post Chase. Last year's hero Don't Push It has had his season geared for a follow-up and he's no forlorn hope despite his weight while Gold Cup fourth What A Friend brings a touch of quality to the race and is very well handicapped. Silver By Nature is the best handicapped in the race on current ratings and has an outstanding chance after his Haydock success while Nicky Richards is delighted that Skippers Brig has sneaked in at the bottom of the handicap as he's an excellent jumper who should get round. He had Ballabriggs behind when scoring at Kelso last time but the race was run at a crawl and the runner-up, who is in the expert hands of Donald McCain and jumps very well, should make a bold bid to gain the yard's fifth success in the great race. Yorkshire hasn't won this for over 60 years but Big Fella Thanks and Character Building are not without chances and Alan King is sweet on West End Rocker, who found Haydock's ground much too testing last time. In a race where so many have had their season's geared solely to the event, Backstage gets the vote from Ballabriggs with Becauseicouldntsee the best outsider.
Don't Push It (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, never near leaders, 10th of 23, 23l behind Buena Vista (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up behind, outpaced 5 out, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, never near leaders, 6th of 13, 23l behind Long Run (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
What A Friend 25-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 7th, tracked leaders on inside 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on under presure flat, just failed for 3rd, 4th of 13, 11l behind Long Run (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Vic Venturi (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders on outer, mistake 2nd, 3rd halfway, driven along after 3 out, no impression from next, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Hold The Pin (11-0) at Down Royal 3m 2f chs hvy in Mar.
Majestic Concorde (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Always prominent, 2nd from halfway, led from 4 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well under pressure, won at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec beating Becauseicouldntsee (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 28 ran.
Or Noir De Somoza (FR) (11-4) 5th of 9 Berryville (10-5) at Pau(FR) 3m 2f chs Grade 3 sft in Jan.
Dooneys Gate (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Always prominent, on terms after 3 out, led travelling well approaching 2 out, clear last, ridden out run-in, comfortably, won at Clonmel 2m 4f chs in Feb beating Northern Alliance (11-4) by 13l, 8 ran.
Big Fella Thanks 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, steady headway from 11th, chased leading quartett before 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, chased leader and hit last, ridden and held when lost 2nd final 110 yards, lost 3rd last stride, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Fine Parchment (10-4) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
The Tother One (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Chased clear winner until, not fluent 3rd, lost 2nd 5th, went 2nd again after 11th until next, 2nd again 15th until mistake 4 out, weakened from after next, 4th of 5, 36l behind Neptune Collonges (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
BallaBriggs (IRE) 8-13fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, joined leader 8th, led 5th, headed after last, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Skippers Brig (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f chs (2) gs in Mar.
The Midnight Club (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, improved to lead before 2 out, ridden before last, challenged run-in, kept on well under pressure, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Arbor Supreme (11-3) by 1l, 9 ran.
Niche Market (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place 9th, ridden and struggling towards rear when stumbled 12th, no chance after, 8th of 15, 12l behind Fine Parchment (10-4) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Silver By Nature 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on inner in 5th, went 2nd after 5 out, led before 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly flat, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb beating Ballyfitz (10-10) by 15l, 14 ran.
Backstage (FR) 1-2 (12-0) Rr of mid div, smooth prog to 2nd aftr 2out, chall last, went on easily, won at The Pigeons 3m ire ptp gs in Mar beating Newbay Prop (12-0) by 7l, 14 ran.
Chief Dan George (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outside when fell 5th, in a race won by Bensalem (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar, 19 ran.
Calgary Bay (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway to 3rd at 11th, chased winner before 4 out, mistake and pecked next, driven before 2 out, soon held, kept on gamely for clear 2nd, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Jan.
Killyglen (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Led, hit 2nd, headed 5th, led again 6th, headed approaching 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 6th of 11, 33l behind Always Right (10-10) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Oscar Time (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, travelled well into 3rd 2 out, 2nd before last, ridden and slight mistake last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind The Midnight Club (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Quinz (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Always prominent, not fluent 4th, led 12th, strongly challenged approaching last, hard ridden, stayed on gamely, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Feb beating Mount Oscar (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Becauseicouldntsee (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 7th approaching halfway, 5th 4 out, 3rd 3 out, 2nd and ridden after 2 out, stayed on well without ever getting to winner, 2nd of 28, 2 1/2l behind Majestic Concorde (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec.
Comply Or Die (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) In touch, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Companero (11-0) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Quolibet (FR) 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, jumped left 5th and next when rider lost iron briefly, continued to jump left, lost place 20th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Sizing Australia (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
Grand Slam Hero (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders early, steadied into mid-division approaching 5th, mistakes 10th and 11th, soon behind, pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Ffos Las 3m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
State of Play 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, 6th next, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 40, 25l behind Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '10.
King Fontaine (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division on inside, mistake and reminder 14th, kept on from 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 19, 32l behind Bensalem (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
In Compliance (IRE) 4-1fav (11-3) Chased leaders, mistake and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Ponmeoath (10-9) at Cork 2m 4f Handicap Chase (9yo+) in Mar, 16 ran.
Hello Bud (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Led until 6th, ridden in 5th approaching 16th, weakened next, behind 18th, pulled up after, in a race won by West End Rocker (10-11) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
West End Rocker (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway to go mid-division approaching 14th, chased leaders 5 out, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Silver By Nature (11-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb, 14 ran.
Santa's Son (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders on outside, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 16th of 23, 41l behind Oiseau de Nuit (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Bluesea Cracker (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 6th 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 32l behind The Midnight Club (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
That's Rhythm (FR) 25-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, driven along after 6th, never on terms, 9th of 16, 21l behind Midnight Chase (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Dec.
Surface To Air 20-1 (11-12) In touch, weakened after 7th, blundered next, soon in rear, last of 10, well behind Stagecoach Opal (10-3) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Piraya (FR) 33-1 (11-3) Behind, lost touch 5th, pulled up after 7th, in a race won by Holmwood Legend (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar, 20 ran.
Can't Buy Time (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Held up, in mid-division by 6th, ridden after 14th, not fluent and struggling next, well beaten 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Junior (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Character Building (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, outpaced 13th, plugged on from 4 out, chased leading pair after last, no impression, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Always Right (10-10) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Ornais (FR) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, left chasing winner 5 out, ridden after 4 out, 4 lenghts down last, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Fort View (11-11) at Newbury 2m 6f hts chs (6) gs in Mar.
Arbor Supreme (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway into 5th 2 out, ridden into 3rd before last, challenged run-in, just held, 2nd of 9, 1l behind The Midnight Club (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Royal Rosa (FR) 25-1 (10-2) Held up mid-division, not fluent 10th and soon lost place, pushed along after 11th, weakened 12th, pulled up before 6 out, in a race won by Synchronised (11-6) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs (1) sft in Jan, 18 ran.
Skippers Brig (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, chased leader after 2 out, stayed on to lead towards finish, all out, won at Kelso 2m 6f chs (2) gs in Mar beating Ballabriggs (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Golden Kite (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Prominent, disputed lead from 2nd to 5th, 3rd halfway, driven along and lost place approaching straight, no extra from 3 out, 9th of 16, 48l behind Bella Mana Mou (9-3) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl sft in Mar.
