tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 12th, outpaced 3 out, plugged on
mid-division, mistake 8th, lost place and behind 10th, hampered 3 out
mid-division, mistake 5th, weakening when mistake 12th
in touch, lost place 4th, reminders 7th, plugged on, never on terms
towards rear when ridden and mistake 8th
in touch, ridden 13th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, steady headway from 11th, led last, ran on
led, ridden when headed last, no impression
mid-division, headway 13th, ridden 3 out, kept on
in rear when fell 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, hit 3 out, every chance when bad mistake 2 out and rider lost iron and soon weakened
towards rear, brief effort 4 out
mid-division, ridden 13th, weakened 3 out
Patman Du Charmil is worth chancing in this company. Vodka Bleu, Officier Reserve and Bob Hall are forwarded as the main dangers. That said, Too Forward and Le Volfoni also come into the reckoning on the best of their form but face stiff tests at the weights. Bob Hall, despite the general form of Jonjo O'Neil's string, has fared well in each of his starts this season and can pay his way again before too long. Tony McCoy's mount does have a bit to prove with the selection, though. Officier Reserve, as the lesser exposed of Paul Nicholls' pair of intended runners, looks the main hope of the champion trainer. He stayed further when winning at Newbury last month and, despite an 11lb rise up the handicap, he has to be respected. As does Vodka Bleu, who, given David Pipe's big-race record, is sure to be a popular choice in the betting. However, he now needs to register a personal best and is not one to be diving overboard with at cramped odds. Therefore, with the likelihood of a fairer price being available, Patman Du Charmil gets the nod on this occasion. Nigel Twiston-Davies's charge has acquitted himself well on several previous visits to Cheltenham and, as he has the right attitude for a battle when they come up the hill, the five-year-old can break his duck at Prestbury Park if all goes to plan for him today.
Le Volfoni (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hit 6th, headway after 11th, blundered 4 out, hit 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Tamarinbleu (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Dec.
Too Forward (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Lost touch 8th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by L'Antartique (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Nov, 20 ran.
Kalca Mome (FR) 22-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, stayed on after 3 out, kept on well flat, not reach front pair, 3rd of 9, 2l behind O'Toole (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Dec.
Bob Hall (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden when hampered 2 out, no extra from last, 6th of 20, 11l behind L'Antartique (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Nov.
Officier De Reserve (FR) 11-4fav (11-7) Held up in touch, smooth headway and not fluent 4 out, soon chasing leaders, chased leader 2 out, led going well approaching last, pushed out flat, won at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating Its Crucial (10-2) by 4l, 9 ra.
Harmony Brig (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up, steady headway 10th, led 3 out, blundered next, ridden out, won at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec beating Aleron (10-1) by 2l, 15 ran.
Yes Sir (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, blundered 11th, weakened after 3 out, blundered 2 out, 8th of 16, 20l behind Tamarinbleu (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Dec.
Vodka Bleu (FR) 12-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, steady headway from 15th, tracked leading trio on bit 3 out, led 2 out, soon in command, stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gf in Dec beating Madison Du Berlais (11-9) by 2l, 13 ran.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 20-1 (10-4) Pressed winner until 13th, remained in 2nd, hit 4 out and 3 out, lost 2nd after 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Tamarinbleu (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Dec.
Kelrev (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 10th, chasing leaders when bad mistake 12th, led approaching 2 out, held on well under pressure, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec beating Chief Yeoman (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Herecomestanley 14-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, headway 17th, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 9th of 16, 18l behind Over The Creek (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Dec.
Model Son (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next, 7th of 16, 6l behind Over The Creek (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Dec.
Surfboard (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Held up in rear, good headway approaching 3 out, chased leader next, led last, ridden clear, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec beating Potts of Magic (9-11) by 5l, 7 ran.
Burntoakboy 25-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 18, 19l behind Millenium Royal (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
