pecked 1st, chased leaders, mistake 12th, went 2nd 4 out, every chance 3 out, one pace before last
led, headed 4 out, soon lost 2nd, chased leading pair until 3 out, weakened before 2 out
raced wide, held up well in rear, headway before 3 out, went 4th 2 out, staying on same pace when hit last
chased leader, mistake 14th, lost 2nd and weakened 4 out, beaten when blundered next
raced wide, chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden and joined 3 out, stayed on until headed final 120 yards
chased leaders until lost place 7th, rear from 11th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up soon after
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 10th, weakened and pecked next, tailed off when hit 4 out, pulled up soon after
ducked left start and started slowly, behind, headway when slow jump 13th, struggling and no chance 4 out
in touch on inside, mistake 8th, blunderd 15th, headway after 4 out, went 3rd before next, challenged last, stayed on to lead final 120 yards
Mr Big has 7lb more to carry than when successful in this historic amateurs' race 12 months ago but has a good man on board in Olly Ellwood and is unlikely to give up his crown without a fight having been in good form at home since an abortive trip to contest the Velka Pardubicka in October. Jamie Snowden had a brilliant record as a rider in this race and saddles the consistent Knighton Combe, who had a nice prep race over hurdles at Folkestone earlier this month. But he has to give 5lb to BLU TEEN, who showed himself to be a class act in hunter chases last season. He was third in the Aintree Fox Hunters' last spring after winning over 2m5f here 12 months ago in a canter. The 11-year-old clearly goes well fresh and is fancied to make a winning reappearance for the third year in a row.
Knighton Combe 9-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 6th, led 2 out, headed on long run to last, well held 3rd when left 2nd, last, weakened flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Carpincho (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Mr Big (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Tracked leader, mistake 14th, driven to challenge 3 out, weakened next, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Ray Mond (11-6) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Scots Dragoon 40-1 (10-11) Led until 2nd, led next, headed 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 11th of 21, 12l behind Sparrow Hills (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Back Is Back (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Fell 2, in a race won by Flanshan (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan, 10 ran.
Blu Teen (FR) 9-4 (12-4) Tracked leaders, mistake 10th, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, kept on run-in, held by winner, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Distant Thunder (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp hunt chs (4) gd in May.
Even Homer Nods (IRE) (12-5) (tt) lft clr 14; virt stpd & hdd app 2 out; nt rec, last of 2, 15l behind Duchamp (13-1) at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gf in May.
Goldfinger (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) No ch 11, 6th of 9, 42l behind Thisthatandtother (12-0) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gf in Apr.
Jamadiel (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Twrds rr, 10th bef 3out & prog in 6th bef 2out, so from last & went 2nd 100 yards out, nrst at fin, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Dr Doocey (11-9) at Dungarvan 3m ire ptp gs.
Surenaga (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) (cp) hdwy 12; went 2nd aft 4 out; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Picaroon (11-0) at Black Forest Lodge 3m ptp in Jan.
