tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner after 4 out, kept on same pace
held up, mistake 14th, blundered 17th, stayed on from 4 out, never troubled leaders
in touch, reminders after 7th, never travelling after, tailed off and pulled up after 15th
towards rear when fell 4th
held up mid-division, stumbled badly 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division until weakened 16th, tailed off when mistake 3 out
mid-division, driven along after 9th, weakened after 17th
chased leaders until weakened after 17th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up and never travelling, tailed off and pulled up before 16th
led until 15th, gradually faded
always towards rear, lost touch 16th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led 15th until 4 out, one pace after
prominent, led approaching 4 out, clear next, stayed on well
held up behind, headway approaching 4 out, challenged for 2nd from 3 out, kept on same pace
The day's feature event at the Sussex track looks a most competitive affair in which a narrow vote goes to Calvic ahead of Yes My Lord, Tana River, Earl's Kitchen, Charango Star and Precious Bane to name but a few. Tom George will be hoping to land not one but two nationals in the space of a week, with Lord Of Illusion fancied at Aintree in seven day's time, and he can start the ball rolling by sending out Calvic to score here. The eight-year-old was most progressive in novice chases at the turn of the year, and is to be aimed at next month's Midlands National. He prepared for today's test by getting the better of Precious Bane over three miles and six furlongs at Bangor in February, and although slightly worse off at the weights with that rival here, is expected to progress enough to follow up. He has bags of stamina and likes soft ground so looks the one to beat. Yes My Lord jumped well on his chase debut at Leicester last month and has the scope to do well at the game, but with Pipe still not firing on all cylinders, it is hard to put him up with any confidence. Emma Lavelle still reckons that Tana River has it in him to win a decent contest, but 11st 12lb in the soft ground is a big weight to carry, while Earl's Kitchen's hard-fought success in the Devon National three weeks a go may have left its mark. Charango Star should have gone for the cross-country race at Cheltenham but connections have waited for this with the bold jumper and he may reach the frame. Snowy Ford has not been in good form but is a course winner and the Giffords have always liked this race, so he should not be totally ruled out either. For the winner though we return to Calvic.
Tana River (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) In touch, chased winner approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 13, 27l behind Eric's Charm (11-12) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Cowboyboots (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 8th, effort 11th, soon weakened and behind when pulled up at the 15th in race won by Fox In The Box (10-11) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Earl's Kitchen 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, led 2 out, all out, won at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar beating Admiral Peary (10-13) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Calvic (IRE) 5-1fav (11-8) Behind, headway 3 out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Feb beating Precious Bane (11-2) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Rum Pointer (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden 6th, soon outpaced, 4th of 13, 29l behind Kipsigis (11-4) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Mar.
Snowy Ford (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Behind, not fluent 12th, hit 17th, well behind when blundered last, 7th of 12, 33l behind Inca Trail (12-2) at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) sft in Mar.
Charango Star 7-1 (11-3) Prominent, driven from 17th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, eased flat, won at Hereford 3m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Feb beating Sir Cumference (11-0) by 12l, 10 ran.
Kausse de Thaix (FR) 11-2 (10-7) Held up, in touch when fell at the 4th in race won by Kerry Lads (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Mar, 9 ran.
Yes My Lord (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-0) In touch, led 10th to 13th, ridden to lead again 2 out, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Hawk's Landing (11-6) by 1l, 9 ran.
Precious Bane (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (10-0) Led, hit 5th, pushed along 10th, headed 11th, hit 13th, one pace when hampered 2 out, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Simon (10-4) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (2) hvy in Mar.
Bubble Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) In touch, mistake 10th, ridden to chase leading trio before 3 out, went 3rd soon after last, no impression, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Ebony Jack (9-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Kittenkat 16-1 (10-4) Mid-division until dropped rear 5th, soon driven along, mistake 7th, headway 11th, stayed on again from 4 out, 4th of 12, 20l behind Earl's Kitchen (10-12) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.
Hazeljack 7-1 (11-2) With leader, made most from 5th, in command after 3 out, hit next, eased flat, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar beating Spider Boy (9-9) by 9l, 10 ran.
Roman Rampage 28-1 (10-13) Always in rear, tailed off from 11th pulled up 3 out in race won by Parkinson (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
