chased leaders, mistake 12th (canal turn), soon under pressure, weakened from 2 out
prominent, led 7th, headed after 12th (canal turn), with winner, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner last, lost 2nd final 100 yards, dropped to 5th towards finish
in touch on outside, ridden after 3 out, weakened last, tailed off
tracked leaders, led after 12th (canal turn), made rest, driven clear after 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on well flat
towards rear, headway 12th (canal turn), in touch when fell 15th
mid-division, tracked leaders 12th (canal turn), went 3rd after 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with winner
towards rear, headway into mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 8th
le narrowly to 7th, in touch when fell 13th (valentines)
behind, headway 15th, chased leaders on inside when hit 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
with leader to 6th, in touch, lost place 11th (foinavon), chased leaders under pressure 2 out, weakened last
chased leaders until hit and unseated rider after 9th
mistake 1st, towards rear, headway into mid-division 6th, fell 12th (canal turn)
mid-division, in touch 5th, ridden and outpaced last, weakened flat
mid-division on inside, tracked leaders 12th (canal turn), joined winner 14th, lost place after 3 out, weakened flat
mistakes, mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from last, no impression
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden last, stayed on to take 4th towards finish, no impression
always towards rear, blundered and pulled up after 13th (valentines)
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, 5th approaching last, stayed on to take 2nd final 100 yards, no impression with winner
in touch, mistake 2nd, blundered and unseated rider 10th (bechers brook)
behind when blundered and unseated rider 3rd (chair)
mid-division, hampered 13th (valentines), soon behind, pulled up after 3 out
in touch, hampered after 9th, fell 13th (valentines)
in touch on outside, lost place 5th, behind 10th (bechers brook), under pressure when blundered 14th, chased leaders before 2 out, weakened last, tailed off
always behind, blundered 11th (foinavon), weakened 2 out, tailed off
mid-divion on outside when fell 7th
mistake 1st, in touch, lost place before 10th (bechers brook), blundered 13th (valentines), behind when pulled up after 3 out
in touch on inside, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
in touch on inside, lost place when hampered 15th, weakend after 3 out, tailed off
towards rear when hampered and unseated rider 12th (canal turn)
There are a few classy chasers taking up the challenge of the National fences in this Grade 3 handicap this year. Champion Court is a Grade 2 winner while the mare Ma Filleule was second in one of the big handicaps at Cheltenham, though was earlier pulled up on that course in December when Double Ross was successful. Nigel Twiston-Davies' novice ran a cracker to finish third in the Golden Miller at The Festival but does seem to reserve his best for that track and might struggle to confirm form in January with CEDRE BLEU. Only one horse carrying more than 10st12lb has won this in the last 13 years and Paul Nicholls' seven-year-old just qualifies in that weight range. He's a bit of character but similar types has thrived at Aintree down the years and he's well enough treated if Nick Schofield can keep him interested and covered up until the closing stages. Stablemate Rebel Rebellion won the Grand Sefton over course and distance in January, ahead of Your Busy, but Poole Master likes to dominate and may not be able to do so in this. Doeslessthanme, Soll and Big Fella Thanks have each-way claims on past form and Lost Legend could also figure but Standing Ovation is a stayer and may get taken off his feet.
Champion Court (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace approaching next, lost place before last, no extra, 7th of 23, 18l behind Ballynagour (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Double Ross (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, driven after 3 out, stayed on and every chance last, soon ridden, no extra in clear 3rd final 110 yards, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Taquin Du Seuil (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, went 2nd 3 out, led narrowly last, one length ahead when hung left under pressure and carried winner left at elbow on run in, soon headed, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Shangani (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Mar.
Ma Filleule (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, challenged when blundered 3 out, led narrowly before next, ridden and headed flat, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 23, 1 3/4l behind Holywell (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Fago (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in last, mistake 5th, headway 3 out, no impression, went 4th 2 out, well held after, 4th of 9, 22l behind Poole Master (10-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Eastlake (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace next, no impression before last, 6th of 23, 14l behind Savello (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Kauto Stone (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Led, jumped right and not fluent 1st, headed 13th, hit 4 out, soon dropped out, 9th of 11, well behind Dynaste (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Doeslessthanme (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, stayed challenging, led again last, driven and held on well flat, won at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar beating Turn Over Sivola (10-11) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
He'llberemembered (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Mid-division, bad mistake 9th, ridden along 3 out, 6th next, 4th entering straight, improved to dispute lead at last, dropped to 3rd early run-in, no extra, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Pass The Hat (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Handicap Chase (Grade B) (5yo+) sft in Mar.
Poole Master 9-2 (10-8) Always handy, challenged 3 out, driven and 2 lengths down flat, rallied to lead close home, won at Chepstow 2m hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb beating Grey Gold (11-7) by nk, 9 ran.
Viva Colonia (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Behind, hampered 4 out, driven and stayed on into mid-division 2 out, no chance when hampered last, 11th of 23, 23l behind Savello (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Tanks For That (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Soon mid-division, one pace approaching 2 out, never able to challenge, 9th of 23, 22l behind Savello (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Cedre Bleu (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, driven and effort 2 out, one pace before last, ridden and weakened flat, 6th of 10, 28l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Big Fella Thanks 10-1 (11-10) In rear, headway before 7 out, went 3rd 2 out, weakened towards finish, 5th of 10, 8l behind Tranquil Sea (10-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Feb.
You Must Know Me (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Held up in touch, mistake 9th and slight mistake 11th, close 4th 6 out, weakened before 3 out, moderate 4th from 2 out, 4th of 9, 43l behind Rogue Angel (11-11) at Punchestown 3m beg chs hvy in Dec.
Tatenen (FR) 33-1 (10-9) In touch, headway to join leader 4 out, led narrowly next, headed 2 out, 3rd and one pace when hit last, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 23, 14l behind Ballynagour (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Mart Lane (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway approaching 3rd, not fluent 13th, mistake and weakened next, 9th of 12, well behind Night In Milan (10-12) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Bennys Mist (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) In touch on outside, lost place 4 out, soon behind, 13th of 23, 35l behind Ballynagour (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Tahiti Pearl (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Made all, clear from last, stayed on strongly, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Jan beating Consigliere (11-2) by 10l, 4 ran.
King Edmund 66-1 (10-8) In touch, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before next, 14th of 23, 35l behind Ballynagour (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Swift Arrow (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, pushed along next, ridden after 8th, outpaced before 4 out, well beaten 3 out, 6th of 9, 33l behind Doeslessthanme (11-1) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.
Giorgio Quercus (FR) 16-1 (9-13) Mid-division, in touch 10th, chased leaders 3 out, outpaced before next, ridden and no impression between last 2, 6th of 23, 17l behind Ballynagour (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Massini's Maguire (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led, reached for 4th, headed 3 out, chased winner, no impression next, dropped to 3rd and no extra between last 2, finished tired, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Gotoyourplay (10-3) at Taunton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Mar.
Lucky Landing (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) Hampered 1st, behind, struggling 4 out, never near leaders, 8th of 23, 20l behind Savello (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Bishopsfurze (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division when sprawled on landing 2nd, soon behind, no danger after, struggling 22nd, soon pulled up, in a race won by Balthazar King (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar, 16 ran.
Soll 3-1fav (11-11) Led, not fluent and headed 10th, chased leader until 16th, chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 8, 10l behind Chartreux (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Lost Legend (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, short of room 11th, led before 3 out, headed next, rallied to lead again last, held on well, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar beating Nearest The Pin (11-7) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Dunowen Point (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) In rear and in touch, effort 2 out, never dangerous, last of 4, 36l behind Tahiti Pearl (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Jan.
Your Busy (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Led, joined briefly 4th, joined 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra before last, 5th of 12, 14l behind Pass The Hat (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Handicap Chase (Grade B) (5yo+) sft in Mar.
Standing Ovation (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Raced keenly, soon pressed leader, led 9th to next, led again 13th, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon lost place, no extra, 6th of 23, 12l behind Holywell (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
