in touch, steady headway on inner from 11th, slow 4th and going well when blundered badly and unseated rider 16th
prominent, ridden along from 12th, weakened and behind after 16th
always behind, mistake 11th, tailed off from 16th
mistake 2nd, led 3rd, mistakes 11th and 12th, joined 3 out, going well and fell throughout
mistake 1st, close up, went 2nd at 7th, mistake 9th, joined leader 3 out, upsides when left in lead next, driven and headed soon after last, no extra flat
held up, staying on, when left disputing 4th at 16th, one pace and no chance when slightly hampered 2 out
not always fluent, held up towards rear, ridden along 13th, headway approaching 3 out, close up when brought down 2 out
mistake, led to 3rd, stayed close up, blundered 11th and 16th, rider dropped whip approaching 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, challenged and mistake last, soon led, not quickened and headed final
raced wide throughout, held up well in rear, mistake 14th, steady headway on wide outside from 3 out, chased leaders from 2 out, driven to join leaders last, stayed on to lead final 150
not always fluent, held up in rear, mistake 12th, behind when slightly hampered 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Our Vic will be a popular choice with many people for this but his relative lack of experience over the larger obstacles is of concern and, at the forecast odds, he looks worth taking on, which we do with Pizarro who gets the nod over Lord Sam. The last mentioned has plenty of ability but has yet to really convince with his jumping, while Calling Brave may just lack the class against this sort of opposition although Nicky Henderson's gelding has done little wrong so far. Sue Smith's Royal Emperor gives the Northern-based trainer her best chance of winning a race at the Festival but the son of Roselier would probably prefer a softer surface. Willie Mullins-trained runners here always warrant respect so it would be foolish to discount the claims of Rule Supreme, while Supreme Prince has progressed since making a disappointing debut over fences. Patricksnineteenth is going the right way and is another worthy of a mention but the vote goes to Pizarro. The winner of the Champion Bumper here in 2002, Eddie O'Grady's gelding found just Hardy Eustace too good in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle last term. Bar one disappointing effort at Fairyhouse in November when the testing conditions were maybe against him, the seven-year-old has been pretty impressive over fences and is taken to win again.
