chased leaders, ridden after 12th, weakened before next, tailed off
in mid-division when badly hampered and unseated rider 2nd
mid-division, headway on inside 12th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
chasing leadrs when blundered badly and rider lost iron briefly and lost place 2nd, behind and never travelled after, behind when mistake 8th, tailed off
towards rear, steady headway 12th, went modest 4th 4 out, stayed on same pace from next
chased leadrs until slow 7th (water), soon lost place, pushed along before 9th, towards rear when mistakes 11th and 13th, hit 4 out, plugged on to modest 5th flat
led, mistake 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, chased winner until 2 out, weakened befor elast
held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, steady headway on outside 12th, chasing leaders 13th, hit 4 out, stumbled 3 out, went 2nd next, 2 lengths down last, closed on winner close home, just failed
towards rear, in rear when mistake 7th (water), tailed off when mistake 8th, pulled up before next
chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders until weakened 4 out, tailed off
hampered 2nd, always behind, ridden 11th, struggling after, tailed off
pulled way up to join leaders 2nd, went 2nd next, blundered and lost 2nd 10th, soon lost place, behind and pulled up after 12th
in touch, headway to chase leaders 10th, went 2nd next, hit 4 out, led 3 out, 2 lengths ahead when hit last, hard driven flat, held on, all out
Several of these have questions to answer at present, including Piraya and Cottage Acre, who both started favourite last time. Rackham Lerouge has yet to prove he stays this far while Born Again disappointed at Carlisle following a promising comeback at Chepstow. That'lldoboy is capable of building on his victory at Wincanton, however, while Buffalo Bob is only a pound higher than when successful in this race 12 months ago and will be all the better for a pipe-opener at Bangor. ZARRAFAKT was pulled up in this last season but it's significant that he's made a winning reappearance around this time of year in each of the last three campaigns and, with his stable going well, Emma Lavelle's potentially well-treated seven-year-old gets the vote.
Piraya (FR) 7-2fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, soon lost place into mid-division, pushed along and hit 10th, rallied to 3rd before 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Quito Du Tresor (11-5) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Vino Griego (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd or 6th, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Grands Crus (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gd.
Rackham Lerouge (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Led 2nd, headed after 5th, hit 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Chicago Alley (9-13) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr, 5 ran.
Forest Pennant (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Never travelled, always in rear, hit 7th and next, tailed off 13th, 12th of 16, well behind Midnight Chase (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Dec.
Born Again (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Prominent, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 16, well behind Power Pack Jack (10-0) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Leading Contender (IRE) 9-2 (10-3) Held up, not fluent 5th, headway 10th, mistake 14th, 6th and well in touch when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Eric's Charm (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again 8th to 11th, lost place 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 11, 40l behind Mohi Rahrere (10-4) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Zarrafakt (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Held up in rear, jumped right 1st and not always fluent, mistake 8th, 6th and in touch 13th, weakened next, well beaten before 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Stoney's Treasure (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (3) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Pavillon Bleu (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 4th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 13, 29l behind Master Overseer (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy.
Cottage Acre (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Chased leader, stumbled 3rd, well there when hit 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 13, 28l behind Kusadiki (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 4f 4yo nov stks (4) hvy.
Quocotiep (FR) (10-12) 6th of 10, 20l behind Royal Palois (10-7) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 7f chs sft in Apr '10.
Danish Rebel (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Tracked leader, led 2nd, headed approaching 2 out, weakened on hill before last, 4th of 12, 24l behind Inventor (11-5) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Jun '10.
That'lldoboy (FR) 8-1 (11-4) In touch, went 2nd when pecked 13th, challenged 4 out, driven to lead 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs beating Bradford Boris (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
