held up, mistake 1st, blundered and unseated rider 9th
mid-division, mistake 6th, headway approaching 10th, every chance 3 out, 2 lengths down when stumbled badly and unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, reminder after 10th, disputing third when mistake and hampered 2 out, soon beaten
held up, driven along from 4 out, headway after 3 out, fifth and staying on when hampered, swerved right and unseated rider 2 out
behind, hampered 9th, soon struggling, pulled up after 11th
held up, mistake 3rd, headway after 11th, lost place quickly after 15th, behind when pulled up before 4 out, dismounted
mistakes, held up towards rear, hampered 3rd, stayed on after 2 out, went third closing stages, no chance with front pair
led, jumped right 1st, headed 4 out, ridden and lost second approaching 3 out, left chasing winner 2 out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway 12th, 4 lengths fifth when blundered 4 out, struggling approaching 3 out, hampered 2 out
in touch, jumped right 2nd, pushed along intermittently after, weakening when blundered 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up in touch, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
mid-division, hit 1st, jumped slowly and lost place 7th, headway after 14th, outpaced approaching 3 out, sixth and beaten when fell 2 out
held up, some headway 13th, mistake 14th, soon behind
with leader, bumped 1st, lost second approaching 12th, weakened approaching 14th
always prominent, challenged 15th, led 4 out, left clear 2 out, driven out
A cracking renewal of this Grade one event and Martin Pipe looks to have a strong contender in Commercial Flyer, who gets the decision ahead of Our Ben, with Darkness and The Listener also expected to be in the mix. Trainer Pipe has been very patient with this son of Carroll House and it paid off when he was a very impressive winner on his return at Taunton. He comfortably got the better of the well regarded Blue Business and as that was his first outing for ten months he is open to any amount of improvement. Willie Mullins sends his strongest ever raiding party to the festival and Our Ben has to be given every respect here. This son of Presenting landed a beginners event at Fairyhouse before finishing a close up third in a Grade one contest at Leopardstown. There could be plenty more improvement to come and he will be a threat to all. Darkness is progressing nicely and was making it three on the bounce when landing the Feltham Chase at Sandown. His jumping is superb and at the odds could be good each-way value. If the ground doesn't firm up too much The Listener could be best of the rest, but Commercial Flyer is expected to improve leaps and bounds and looks set to land the spoils.
Ardaghey (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Led 1st, jumped 9th, shaken up and clear 2 out, jinked left flat, won at Towcester 3m beg chs (4) sft in Feb beating Great As Gold (11-4) by 9l, 14 ran.
Back In Front (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, bad mistake 2nd, went 2nd before 7 out, dropped to 3rd 4 out, 2nd again before straight, challenged and led travelling best approaching last where left clear, easily, won at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Dec beating Vic.
Bewleys Berry (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Led until headed 18th, close up last, unable to quicken run-in, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Darkness (11-7) at Sandown 3m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Dec.
Bold Bishop (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway on inside after 12th, ridden to chase leaders soon after, narrow leader last, kept on well, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Nov beating Europa (10-12) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Chopneyev (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, mistake 8th, headway 11th, never nearer, 4th of 10, 24l behind Nycteos (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
Commercial Flyer (IRE) 1-2fav (11-4) Held up, headway 5th, went 2nd 7th, led 12th, quickened clear 3 out, easily, won at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Feb beating Blue Business (10-13) by 4l, 8 ran.
Darkness 13-8fav (11-7) Held up in 4th, driven to close approaching last, driven ahead run-in, won at Sandown 3m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Dec beating Zabenz (11-7) by 3l, 5 ran.
Idle Talk (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Raced wide, tracked leaders, mistake, weakened 4 out, soon eased when no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 5, well behind Montgermont (11-4) at Lingfield 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Lord Killeshanra (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, blundered 15th, ridden to lead after 2 out, headed soon after last, no extra, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Halcon Genelardais (11-12) at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Lough Derg (FR) 6-4fav (11-10) Led, mistake and headed briefly 7th, pecked 11th, driven along approaching next, headed 4 out, kept on, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Idle Talk (11-10) at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Our Ben 10-3 (11-12) Held up in touch, 4th 4 out, 5th next, headway under pressure after 2 out, 3rd and stayed on well from last, 3rd of 10, 2l behind The Railway Man (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb.
The Listener (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Tracked leader, took narrow lead from 7th, blundered and fell 10th fell at the 10th in race won by Montgermont (11-4) at Lingfield 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
The Railway Man (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, progress into 5th after halfway, 4th 3 out, 2nd next, led travelling best approaching last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb beating Father Matt (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Zabenz (NZ) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 18th, stumbled 2 out, headed and not quicken run-in, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Darkness (11-7) at Sandown 3m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Dec.
Star De Mohaison (FR) 1-3fav (11-3) Jumped well, tracked leader, led 6th, soon clear, eased near finish, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) gs in Jan beating Steppes of Gold (11-2) by 13l, 6 ran.
