chased leaders, struggling 9th, tailed off 13th, pulled up before next
led until unseated rider 3rd
held up, headway to chase winner 10th, ridden after 14th, weakened next, fell 3 out
in touch, headway 9th, ridden to chase winner approaching 4 out, soon no chance
jumped left, left in lead 3rd, hit 12th, drew well clear from 4 out, hit 3 out, unchallenged
chased leaders until 8th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled ulp after 5 out
chased leaders, lost place after 13th, went moderate 3rd after 4 out, no chance when hit next
Take The Stand, who finished second to Kicking King in the 2005 Gold Cup, is different class to these rivals on the pick of his form and while not as good as he used to be Peter Bowen's gelding should still be too good and gets the vote ahead of Balinova and Sesame Rambler. The last mentioned is less exposed than most of these but does need to improve to trouble the selection. Dun An Doras has failed to complete in his last two starts, while Family Business has been let down by his jumping in the past and again fell on his return to hunter chase company at Fontwell last month. Balinova was good value for his win at Sandown last season and comes here on the back of an encouraging run in a point-to-point but they all have it to do beat Take The Stand.
Balinova (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Held up; went 2nd 14; ev ch 3 out; one pce, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Dare Too Dream (12-0) at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp sft.
Family Business (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Led, headed 3rd and fell at the 8th in race won by Lou Du Moulin Mas (12-3) at Fontwell 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Feb, 6 ran.
Dun An Doras (IRE) 125-1 (12-0) Mid-division when fell at the 15th in race won by Amicelli (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs, 23 ran.
Sesame Rambler (IRE) 11-2 (12-1) In touch, chased leader 12th, ridden 4 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 28l behind Tegucigalpa (12-3) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) gd in Feb.
Take The Stand (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up, chased leader from 4th, led 12th, headed after 15th, soon beaten and left 2nd last, 2nd of 6, 26l behind Lou Du Moulin Mas (12-3) at Fontwell 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Feb.
The Hearty Joker (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 8th, soon lost place, behind from 10th, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Super Nomad (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd.
Holly Walk 2-1 (11-7) Led to 4; led 14; clr 3 out; easy, won at Wadebridge 3m ptp hvy beating Coffee Morning (12-0) by 10l, 5 ran.
Beauchamp Oracle 100-1 (12-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Amicelli (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs, 23 ran.
