led until approaching 3rd, remained handy, led 9th to 11th, ridden 16th, outpaced next, stayed on from last
held up in mid-division, headway 7th, led 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, no danger after, stayed on well
held up in mid-division, effort 14th, under pressure and well beaten after 3 out
chased leaders, jumped left, hit 6th, driven 16th, stayed on one pace to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, headway 14th, challenged 16th, chased winner after 3 out but soon no impression, bumped and lost 2nd last, weakened flat
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, lost touch from 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, went left and mistake 7th, ridden and well beaten after 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 2nd and 10th, well beaten after 3 out
sometimes jumped left, led approaching 3rd, mistake and headed 9th, led 12th to 16th, one pace approaching 2 out, hampered last
soon in touch, mistake 7th, lost place next, blundered 10th, well behind 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, led 11th to 12th, led 16th to 3 out, hanging right from 2 out, one pace
Nonrunner
Bell Rock won this race last year but he could struggle to contain the challenge of ROYAL AUCLAIR who looks a more reliable proposition than Tikram. Paul Nicholls' charge has struggled in the top Hunter Chases this season, falling at the Cheltenham Festival before finishing well held at the same venue last time, but this represents an easier opportunity. He retains his enthusiasm for the game and should go close. Bell Rock prevailed by a nose a year ago but his two runs this year don't bode well for his chances of staging a repeat. Tikram was a smart handicapper on his day but isn't the easiest to win with and a bigger question may be posed by Euro Bleu who kept on well to get the better of Go North at Folkestone earlier in the month. Youlbesolucky was in front of Tikram last time and enters calculations on that showing whilst Master T looks to have the beating of Letterman on their running at Godstone but Royal Auclair could have the beating of them all.
Royal Auclair (FR) 3-1 (12-5) Prominent, not looked keen, reminders from 13th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Amicelli (12-8) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Apr.
Tikram 11-8fav (12-1) Chased leaders, hit 5th, went 3rd 11th, pushed along after 3 out, one pace and no impression next, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Highland Chief (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 5f hts chs (6) gf.
Bell Rock 33-1 (11-11) Chased leader to 10th, blundered next, weakened 12th, 6th of 11, 37l behind Highland Chief (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 5f hts chs (6) gf.
Little Rocker (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, outpaced 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 13l behind City Affair (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gd.
Baodai (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway 7th to track leading pair, mistake 14th, left 2nd 3 out, ridden and no extra from 2 out, 2nd of 6, 15l behind Fruitfull Citizen (11-0) at Towcester 3m hts chs (6) gf.
Bolero Eclair (FR) 4-1 (11-0) In tch til outpcd aft 14, 3rd of 4, 14l behind Leatherback (11-0) at Marks Tey 3m ptp in Apr.
Letterman (IRE) 1-3 (12-7) Went 2nd aft 12; no imp 15, 2nd of 3, 12l behind Master T (12-7) at Godstone 3m ptp.
Master T (USA) 10-1 (11-11) Took keen hold early, held up in rear, mistake 11th, stayed on after 3 out, never reached leaders, blundered last, 4th of 11, 14l behind Highland Chief (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 5f hts chs (6) gf.
Oranger (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Held up, not fluent 11th, detached 15th, ridden, mistake 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, not reached leaders, 4th of 7, 2l behind The Baillie (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd.
Possextown (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Led 3rd to 10th, 5th and losing place when fell 15th, in a race won by Knighton Combe (11-7) at Folkestone 3m 7f hts chs (5) gf, 14 ran.
Youlbesolucky (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Always prominent, chased winner from 10th, pushed along approaching 2 out, kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Highland Chief (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 5f hts chs (6) gf.
Euro Bleu (FR) 5-2fav (12-0) Took keen hold early, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8th, led 11th, clear 15th, 3 lengths clear last, hard ridden flat, all out, won at Folkestone 3m 2f nov hts chs (6) gf beating Go North (11-7) by nk, 6 ran.
Fresh Love (IRE) 4-1 (12-3) Led aft 1 til hdd last; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Ile de Paris (12-3) at Tabley 3m ptp.
Humbel Origins (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Hdwy 12; led aft 4 out; drvn out, won at Cothelstone 3m ptp beating Goblet of Fire (12-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
River Bailiff (IRE) 100-1 (12-0) Always behind, struggling 8th, soon tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Highland Chief (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 5f hts chs (6) gf.
