mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 3 out, every chance approaching last, weakened flat
held up, ridden after 2 out, stayed on flat, never nearer
mid-division, behind from 3 out
in touch, hit 1st, ridden and weakened after 2 out
held up in touch, took closer order 3 out, weakened last
held up, stayed on approaching last, never dangerous
held up, headway going well approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
never on terms
in touch until approaching 5th
never on terms
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, one pace run-in
prominent until after 3 out
always towards rear
chased leaders until 3 out
mid-division, weakened 5th
led 2nd, mistake 4th, headed and hampered approaching last, weakened quickly
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, driven clear approaching last, hit last, soon headed, not recover
in touch, chased leader 5th until after 3 out, weakened 2 out
behind, in last position 3 out, still plenty to do approaching last, ran on flat, nearest finish
led to 2nd, chased leader, mistake 3rd, lost 2nd 5th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 2 out, no impression from last
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, effort approaching 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division, stayed on approaching last, never near leaders
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, every chance after last, kept on flat but not pace of winner
held up in touch, took closer order after 2nd, no impression approaching 2 out
prominent until weakened before 3 out
held up, steady headway approaching 2 out, good progress to track leaders when not clear run and switched right approaching last, led soon after last, ridden and ran on well flat
Well, where do we start with this 30-runner traditional finale to another great Festival meeting and, as we will discuss, any number can be considered, but we will side with Beechcourt. This is tricky. Rigmarole is well handicapped if at his best, but he's become disappointing and Ruby Walsh, who won this race last year, has opted to ride Monte Cinto. His handicap form is solid so he makes it onto the list of possibles, and if you give him a chance then the progressive Crossbow Creek has to be afforded respect too, as they have comparable form. Martin Pipe's Fontanesi is well-weighted if he can turn the clock back, although Copeland, who looked a bit more like his old self last time, might be a stronger option. Pipe also runs Tamarinbleu, whose form with King Revo is very likeable, and they are both capable of giving you a good shout, while the consistent Dancing Pearl, given that she is due to go up by five pounds shortly, has also to be respected. Stance is also conceivably well weighted base on future marks, although you will have to forgive him a modest Imperial Cup run six days ago. Beechcourt represents solid Irish form, and Castleshane has a good run in him, but the handicapper seems to have the edge on him. Nicky Henderson's Grande Jete is a possible improver, while Bongo Fury has performed well in competitive handicaps this season, including when runner-up to Essex in the totesport Hurdle. Lenny Lungo's Silvertown is on the up, and a six pound rise for his latest win should not stop him from being competitive. The 2002 Champion Hurdle runner-up can't be ruled out on the basis of that form, although he has been injury-prone since, while Geos, fourth in that same Championship contest, is another that could feature given a rejuvenation. Finally, the Christmas Hurdle third and Kingwell Hurdle runner-up, Perouse, has also to be respected but, for today in what is, as we say, a competitive race, we will side with Beechcourt, although it's very tricky affair.
Rigmarole 4-1 Prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 19l behind Inglis Drever at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.
Perouse 10-1 Prominent, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, challenged and every chance last, ran on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Inglis Drever at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.
Geos (FR) 9-2 Held up, ridden and outpaced 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 20l behind Blue Canyon at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.
Marble Arch 50-1 Held up towards rear, rapid headway to chase leaders and hit 3 out, weakened quickly, 10th of 11, well behind Patriarch Express at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 2-1fav Tracked leader, ridden to dispute lead 3 out, quickened approaching 2 out, headed before last, soon one pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Kalca Mome at Warwick 2m hcp hdl (B) hvy in Feb.
King Revo (IRE) 14-1 In touch, headway after 6th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 23, 5l behind Tamarinbleu at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Jan.
Copeland 22-1 Tracked leaders but raced wide, led 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Blue Canyon at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.
Balapour (IRE) 10-1 Held up, not fluent early, trailing when pulled up 4 out in race won by Lotomore Lad at Navan 3m nov hcp chs sft, 13 ran.
Risky Reef 11-1 Held up towards rear, headway 4th, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 12th of 25, 19l behind Geos at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Feb '04.
Silvertown 9-2 Made all, hit 5th, ridden and hit last, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gf in Dec beating Brooklyn's Gold by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Fool On The Hill 7-4fav Tracked leaders, led 9th, clear approaching 3 out, eased towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (E) gd beating Cumbrian Knight by 15l, 7 ran.
Crossbow Creek 10-1 Held up in mid-division, headway from 3 out, challenged on inner 2 out, one pace before last, 4th of 19, 10l behind Medison at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
Demi Beau 25-1 Chased leaders, 2nd and every chance when fell at the last in race won by Puck Out at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Apr, 19 ran.
Grave Doubts 20-1 Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, last of 8, 45l behind Perouse at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov.
Bongo Fury (FR) 33-1 Chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed last, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 25, 3l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Nawamees (IRE) 50-1 Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 17th of 25, 18l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Calatagan (IRE) 20-1 Led until headed approaching 2 out, weakened rapidly, 8th of 11, 17l behind Crossbow Creek at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jan.
Grande Jete (SAF) 11-8fav Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, one pace, 5th of 10, 34l behind Dictum at Ascot 2m nov hdl (D) hvy in Jan '04.
Castleshane (IRE) 12-1 Tracked leader, left in lead 4th, ridden and headed after 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Rob Leach at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Feb.
Desert Air (JPN) 33-1 Held up, never near leaders, 15th of 25, 11l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Another Dude (IRE) 14-1 Always prominent, ridden after 3 out, not fluent last, soon led, kept on, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Feb beating Brave Effect by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Monte Cinto (FR) 14-1 Held up in mid-division, headway from 3 out, ridden and close up 2 out, no extra and hit last, 3rd of 19, 10l behind Medison at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
Beechcourt 12-1 Held up, headway into 7th 3 out, close up after 2 out, led approaching last, soon ridden clear, eased close home, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-135 sft in Feb beating Allez Petit Luis by 2l, 18 ran.
McBain (USA) 20-1 Chased leader, hard ridden approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, 9th of 19, 21l behind Medison at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
Borora 20-1 Mid-division, ridden after 4th, soon behind, 13th of 21, 26l behind Stance at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs.
Stance 6-1 In touch, hard driven before 2 out, soon beaten, 8th of 19, 20l behind Medison at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
Dancing Pearl 5-2fav In touch, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and hit 2 out, led run-in, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd beating Norma Hill by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Its Crucial (IRE) 9-2 Led, driven before 2 out, headed before last, no chance with winner and hung left under pressure run-in, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Sea Captain at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.
Fontanesi (IRE) 20-1 Led to 3rd, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 22l behind Broke Road at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Feb.
