led, headed 2 out (usual 6 out), lost 2nd before last (usual 5 out), no extra
held up in rear, reminders halfway, weakened before 7th
always towards rear
close up and keen, led 2 out (usual 6 out), kept on well run-in
held up mid-division, weakened from 2 out (usual 6 out)
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before last (usual 5 out) kept on and no extra last 200 yards
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before last (usual 5 out)
held up in touch, ridden after last (usual 5 out), chased winner last 200 yards, no impression
PAINT THE CLOUDS won this last year before finishing third in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham and fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. A similar campaign is planned this season and Warren Greatrex's smart hunter chaser is difficult to oppose. Cave Hunter won at Hexham and Kelso last May but faces a stiff task on his return while stout stayer Major Malarkey is hard to catch right and is probably best watched on his return. Railway Dillon has more to do than when successful at Musselburgh, though appears to have the beating of Nearest The Pin on the form book. Barel Of Laughs beat a big field at Barbury 10 days ago but hasn't won under Rules since 2012.
Cave Hunter (IRE) 10-3 (12-1) Led to after 3rd, pressed leader, led again after 7th, ridden and headed after 3 out, regained lead after next, pressed when edged left flat, kept on towards finish, won at Kelso 3m 2f (4) gd in May beating Nowurhurlin (12-4) by 3l, 8 ran.
Major Malarkey (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 11th, behind 14th, pulled up before 2 out, at Stratford 3m 4f (2) gd in May.
Nearest The Pin (IRE) 11-2 (12-4) Mid-division, 4th when not fluent 10th, not fluent and outpaced 13th, weakened after 4 out, remote 4th 3 out, pulled up after, at Musselburgh 3m 3f (3) sft in Feb.
Paint The Clouds 5-6fav (12-0) Mid-division, headway 7th, not fluent 11th, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, driven flat, headed last strides, 2nd of 13, hd behind Moroman (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f (2) gd in May.
Railway Dillon (IRE) 4-1cfav (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led flat, stayed on gamely, won at Musselburgh 3m 3f (3) sft in Feb beating Pena Dorada (12-4) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Barel Of Laughs (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) (cp) hdwy 13; led aft 3 out; comf, won at Barbury Racecourse 3m gs in Feb beating Green Winter (11-7) by 12l, 19 ran.
Mr Moss (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, weakened from 7 out, pulled up before 5 out, at Taunton 2m 7f (6) hvy in Jan.
One More Tune (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Strugg 11; pu 2 out, at Chipley Park 3m sft in Jan.
