took keen hold towards rear, blundered badly and unseated rider 4th
chased leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed 4 out, lost 2nd next, weakening when hampered 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off
led until 2nd, chased leaders until weakened 15th, tailed off
always in rear, tailed off and pulled up 3 out
soon pressing leader and clear of rest, hit 11th, blundered 16th, led 4 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat
mid-division, steady headway 11th, went 4th approaching 14th, stayed on same pace from 3 out
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 4 out, went 3rd travelling well 2 out, quickened to lead last, soon clear
chased leaders unti lost place 4th, mistake next, behind 8th, pulled up before 16th
always behind, tailed off
chased clear leading pair, weakened 14th, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led before last, headed last, not pace of winner flat
in touch, some headway when mistake 13th, weakening when blundered 16th, behind and pulled up 2 out
towards rear, plugged on from 2 out, never involved
Nonrunner
A cracking renewal of this long-established hunter chase and it looks just as competitive as the showcase events at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring. Rodger Sweeney sends over SALSIFY from County Cork and he's fancied to bounce back from his fall at Fairyhouse. The seven-year-old had earlier outstayed Chapoturgeon in the Foxhunter Chase at The Festival when Sheila Crow's gallant mare My Flora, a previous C&D winner here, was back in fourth and Herons Well and Keenan's Future further behind. Eleazar was beaten when unseating his rider in that contest but did win at Fakenham last month and was second to Southwestern here last year ahead of Templer and Herons Well. Southwestern also won this in 2009 and continues to defy his years while in-form Postmaster and That's Rhythm can't be ignored. Earth Dream also has a chance but this is easily Divine Intavention's toughest task to date and Zemsky would need a return to his very best.
Divine Intavention (IRE) 1-4fav (12-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led 11th, in control last, came readily clear flat, won at Folkestone 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd in May beating Lepido (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Earth Dream (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Held up, headway 3rd, led 7th, made rest, comfortable, won at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gs in Apr beating Defying Gravity (11-5) by well, 8 ran.
Eleazar (GER) 11-10fav (11-13) Slow 1st, held up in touch, outpaced 13th, ridden and closed on leading pair 2 out, led last, ridden out, won at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gs in May beating Hurricane Carter (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Herons Well (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) Led until 3rd, stayed prominent, led after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, every chance when mistake last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Silver Story (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hts chs (5) sft in May.
Keenan's Future (IRE) 7-2 (12-1) Held up, closed 7th, fell 12th, in a race won by Silver Story (12-1) at Aintree 3m 1f hts chs (6) gd in May, 6 ran.
Oca De Thaix (FR) 9-1 (10-6) Mid-division on outside, headway from 2nd to lead after 3rd, headed 8th, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Knighton Combe (10-13) at Worcester 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Postmaster Evensfav (12-1) Close 5th, tracked leading pair 11th, went 2nd before 13th, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Folkestone 3m 1f hts chs (6) gd in May beating Start Royal (12-4) by 13l, 6 ran.
Salsify (IRE) 11-4fav (11-13) Held up towards rear, 11th 5 out, headway in 9th 3 out, ridden in 5th when fell 2 out, in a race won by Oscar Delta (11-1) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hts chs gs in Apr, 16 ran.
Shoudhavenownbettr (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Prominent on outside, not fluent 2nd, led approaching 3 out, headed before next, one pace before last, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Coombe Hill (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) sft in May.
Southwestern (IRE) 4-9 (12-7) Held up; led on bit aft 14; v easy, won at Littlewindsor 3m ptp sft in May beating Gunner Be Quick (12-4) by 8l, 5 ran.
Templer (IRE) 7-1 (12-1) Prominent until 2nd, tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Silver Story (12-1) at Aintree 3m 1f hts chs (6) gd in May, 6 ran.
That's Rhythm (FR) 8-11fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, challenged 6th, led next until 8th, led again 10th, drew clear from before 12th, easily, won at Uttoxeter 3m hts chs (6) gd in May beating Hurricane Carter (11-7) by 11l, 7 ran.
Zemsky (IRE) 8-1 (11-13) Rear of mid-division, closer in 8th 5 out, ridden in 7th entering straight, no impression 2 out, weakened, 6th of 16, well behind Oscar Delta (11-1) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hts chs gs in Apr.
My Flora 4-11fav (11-11) Held up in touch, not fluent 7th, headway to 5th at 10th, went 3rd 12th, led going well 2 out, came clear before last, easily, won at Stratford 2m 7f hts chs (5) gd in Apr beating Armoury House (11-7) by 9l, 8 ran.
Hurricane Carter (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went prominent 5th, outpaced before 10th, stayed on to take 2nd 4 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 11l behind That's Rhythm (11-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hts chs (6) gd in May.
