mid-division, weakened 8th, behind when pulled up 4 out
mid-division when fell 6th
always behind, pulled up before 6th
chased leaders, under pressure 5 out, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, moderate 4th
led, driven when headed 4 out, weakened before 2 out, moderate 3rd
chased leaders, pushed along when jumped slowly 10th, weakened before 5 out
tracked leaders, driven to challenge 4 out, under pressure 2 out, rallied last, no extra close home
mid-division, headway to chase leaders, after 6th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 12th
held up in rear, headway 5th, soon mid-division, weakened 4 out
behind, mistake 4th, soon struggling, some late headway, moderate 5th
tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, hard ridden 2 out, kept on well under pressure
behind, headway 6th, soon mid-division, weakened 12th, pulled up 4 out
always behind, pulled up 4 out
held up in rear, headway 8th, lost place after next, behind when pulled up 4 out
Victory Gunner will find this much tougher than his recent win at Ffos Las, but Rhum showed his first worthwhile form over fences when runner-up at Exeter last month and he could figure. Aldertune is another with claims as he scored over C&D in March, but Le Beau Bai arrives out of sorts and will do well to repeat his 2009 victory in this. Plumpton winner Alderluck could figure and Tarablaze should continue to progress over fences this season and looks a leading contender having gone well fresh before. However, it could pay to stick with MASTER OVERSEER. He made a winning comeback over hurdles at this track last month and there should be more to come back over the larger obstacles as David Pipe's charge has won three of his previous five starts in chases.
Miko de Beauchene (FR) 18-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 10th, weakened approaching 19th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Synchronised (11-5) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) hvy in Mar '10, 17 ran.
Tarablaze (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Held up, mistake 8th, headway 10th, close up when mistake 15th, stayed on flat, 4th of 15, 2l behind Prince De Beauchene (10-5) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr.
Whinstone Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Well in rear, went right 2nd, struggling 10th, blundered next, tailed off, 5th of 9, 40l behind Roudoudou Ville (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Nov.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, headed narrowly 10th, led again 16th, headed 4 out, lost place approaching next, kept on same pace, no impression from 2 out, 4th of 13, 21l behind The Minack (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Atouchbetweenacara (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led to 1st, tracked leaders, lost place 13th, tailed off 5 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Nikola (10-11) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct, 10 ran.
Master Overseer (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Made all, ridden before 3 out, pressed last, kept on well run-in, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov beating The Gossmoor Yank (11-12) by 2l, 13 ran.
Sona Sasta (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 3rd to 5th, led again 8th, mistake 13th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next, 6th of 16, 30l behind Chicago Grey (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m am nov chs (2) gd in Mar.
General Kutuzov (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Always prominent, led 3 out, headed next, stayed on flat, held by winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Meet The Critics (10-11) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gs in Mar.
Minella Boys (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, headway before 6 out, ridden before 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 20l behind As De Fer (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Alderluck (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) In touch on outside, dropped to mid-division 7th, outpaced 5 out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 32l behind The Minack (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Le Beau Bai (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Mid-division until lost place and dropped towards rear 4th, plugged on again from 3 out, never in contention, tailed off, 7th of 12, 34l behind Sivola De Sivola (10-13) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Nov.
Aldertune (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden before last, soon disputed 2nd, weakened last 50 yards, 4th of 16, 5l behind Giles Cross (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Rhum (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 10th, led approaching ommited 4 out, ridden and head before and stumbled last, rallied gamely closing stages, just held, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Bless The Wings (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Prominent, challenged approaching 6th, led before 10th, clear flat, stayed on gamely, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov beating Red Rouble (11-12) by 4l, 10 ran.
