mid-division, struggling 12th, never dangerous
led, blundered 8th, ridden 2 lengths clear and staying on when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
tracked leaders, left 2nd at 13th, blundered 15th and 5 out, ridden and outpaced after next, lost place when hampered by loose horse 3 out, left remote 2nd when mistake next, soon lost place and weakened
with leaders, mistake 6th, soon lost place, 6th and under pressure when fell 9th
in rear, lost touch 12th, tailed off 4 out
chased leaders, lost place 12th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders to 6th, reminders and lost touch 13th, stayed on from last, never near leaders
tracked leader until blundered and unseated rider 13th
chased leaders, mistake 5th, lost place when mistake 13th, behind when pulled up before 15th
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 17th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind, lost touch 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
chased leaders to halfway, soon behind, tailed off 4 out
held up mid-division, hampered 9th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon outpaced, left moderate 3rd 2 out until after last, weakened flat
mid-division, some headway when blundered 5 out, stayed on under pressure to go moderate 3rd after last, never nearer
chased leaders, blundered 8th, lost place 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, left tracking leading pair 13th, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, no chance when blundered and unseated rider last
always behind
mid-division, outpaced 5 out, never near leaders
mid-division, outpaced 5 out, never dangerous
patiently ridden in mid-division, headway 5 out, tracked leading pair 4 out, went 2nd next, 2 lengths down and closing on leader when left well clear 2 out, hung right flat, easily
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 5 out, well beaten 5th 2 out, stayed on to go moderate 2nd after last, no chance with winner
always behind, lost touch and pulled up before 17th
behind when blundered and unseated rider soon after 8th
Previous winners Amicelli and Baby Run are in opposition and it's the latter, successful a year ago under Sam Twiston-Davies, who is the one to beat from the home contingent. He's given new regular rider Willie Twiston-Davies two relatively comfortable victories this year and his front-running style will soon have many of these point-to-pointers off the bridle. Several of those who were behind a year ago, including third-placed Reach For The Top and the fourth Gentle George, are involved again but are unlikely to reverse the form while Turthen, runner-up to Cappa Bleu in 2009, was well beaten last year. Paul Nicholls is represented by Just Amazing but his overall form lacks the quality associated with the race. Dante's Storm looked very impressive when landing a hunter-chase at Folkestone last month but the biggest threat from the UK contingent may prove to be Camilla Scott's Gone To Lunch, twice runner-up in the Scottish Grand National and the winner of Larkhill's Coronation Gold Cup last month. Irish hopes rest firmly with ON THE FRINGE and he gets the vote despite his inexperience. Enda Bolger's charge beat a high-class field in the championship event at Punchestown last year and with the brilliant amateur JT McNamara doing the steering he may prove too strong for the home side.
Amicelli (GER) 5-2 (11-0) Prom til drvn & one-pcd 2 out, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Kalmo Bay (11-0) at Whitwick Manor 3m ptp gs in Feb.
Baby Run (FR) 8-13fav (11-13) Made all, clear from 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on strongly, won at Haydock 3m hts chs (3) hvy in Feb beating Halcon Genelardais (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Dante's Storm 4-6fav (12-4) Raced keenly, made virtually all, blundered 3rd, hit 13th, clear 15th, hit 2 out, won at Folkestone 3m 1f hts chs (6) sft in Feb beating Mount Sandel (12-1) by 38l, 7 ran.
Description (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Ap; led aft 12 til hdd 2 out; rallied to ld flat, won at Larkhill 3m ptp in Feb beating Theatre Diva (10-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Distant Thunder (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, dropped to rear 9th, ridden 11th, stayed on from 3 out, went 4th next, plugged on, 4th of 7, 18l behind King Cyrus (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) gd.
Gentle George 7-4fav (12-4) Prominent, settled in 3rd from 2nd, slightly hampered 8th, outpaced by leaders 12th, weakened after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Sericina (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m hts chs (4) sft in Feb.
Gone To Lunch (IRE) 5-4 (12-7) Gd hdwy 7; led app last; drvn out, won at Larkhill 3m ptp in Feb beating Divine Intavention (12-0) by 2l, 13 ran.
Herons Well (IRE) 5-6fav (11-13) Made all, clear approaching 2 out, strongly challenged from last, held on well (2 fences ommited), won at Fontwell 3m 2f hts chs (6) gs in Feb beating Honour's Dream (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Joaaci (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Towards rear, soon ridden along, mistake and behind from 10th, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Fort View (11-11) at Newbury 2m 6f hts chs (6) gs, 11 ran.
Just Amazing (IRE) 1-2fav (12-8) Jumped left at some fences, made all, blundered 6th, idled badly flat, held on close home, won at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) sft in Feb beating Come What Augustus (11-11) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Mount Benger 13-2 (11-13) Behind, mistake 4th, reminder 9th, mistake 11th, chased leading pair under pressure 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, led last, stayed on when hard pressed flat, just held on, won at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) sft in Feb beating Templer (11-13) by hd, 7 ran.
Noakarad De Verzee (FR) 5-6fav (11-13) Led, jumped slowly and headed briefly 3rd, headed 7th, led again next, hard pressed 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Mount Benger (11-13) at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) sft in Feb.
On The Fringe (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Mid-division, 9th halfway, 6th 4 out, smooth headway after 3 out, 3rd after 2 out, ridden to lead early straight, pecked badly last, left clear, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 3m hts chs hvy in Feb beating Rudi Trucker (11-9) by 8l, 13 ran.
Oscar Delta (IRE) 13-8 (12-0) Mid div, 4th from 1/2way, travel well in 3rd 5out, ld on outer bef 3out, alw in command after & sow, won at Kildorrery 3m ire ptp hvy in Feb beating Mr Dominator (12-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Oscatello (USA) 2-1 (11-0) Went 2nd 15; led 2 out; asserted app last, won at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Jean's Joy (10-7) by 7l, 9 ran.
Reach For The Top (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Towards rear, headway approaching 7th, chased leaders 10th (Bechers Brook), pecked 14th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 21, 44l behind Silver Adonis (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs in Apr.
Special Portrait (IRE) 10-11fav (11-13) Chased leaders, led approachinig 3 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Ayr 3m 1f hts chs (6) sft in Feb beating Noir Et Vert (11-7) by 9l, 6 ran.
Templer (IRE) 3-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, blundered 14th, chased leader 4 out until 2 out, soon ridden, rallied to press winner and every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Mount Benger (11-13) at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) sft in Feb.
Turthen (FR) 11-8fav (12-4) Held up in rear, headway 13th, went 4th approaching 4 out, never on terms with leaders, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 13l behind William Somers (12-0) at Leicester 2m 7f hts chs (2) gd in Feb.
Zemsky (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Held up in touch and keen, went 2nd after 5 out, led 4 out, kept on well from last, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hts chs (6) sft in Feb beating Spellchecker (11-13) by 7l, 12 ran.
Jaunty Flight 4-7 (11-7) Held up in rr; disp 12l 3rd 3 out; led bet last 2; sn in comm, won at Duncombe Park 3m ptp sft in Feb beating Eliza Doalott (11-7) by 5l, 11 ran.
Mid Div And Creep (11-0) Led 9; qcknd clr app 3 out; impressive, won at Horseheath 3m ptp in Feb beating Kilcascan (11-0) by 12l, 7 ran.
Sericina (FR) 15-8 (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, went 2nd after 12th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on well and in command flat, won at Ffos Las 3m hts chs (4) sft in Feb beating Herons Well (11-11) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Theatre Diva (IRE) 4-5 (10-7) Held up; hdwy 13; led 2 out til hdd & no ex flat, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Description (11-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp in Feb.
