held up, mistake 5th, headway 17th, hit 2 out, soon ridden, kept on flat
chased leaders, led after 4th, headed 12th, blundered 15th, headed next, soon lost place
led until blundered and unseated rider 3rd
held up, behind from 18th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance last, weakened before elbow
fell 1st
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden last, staying on when not much room towards finish
held up, headway 17th (Valentines), ridden and every chance last, stayed on flat
held up, headway 10th, ridden and every chance last, one pace flat
chased leader, left in lead 3rd, headed after next, in touch when fell 14th
unseated rider 1st
with leader, fell 2nd
chased leaders, took closer order 8th (water), ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, headwday 14th, every chance last, led briefly elbow, not quicken final 50 yards
chased leaders, led 14th, ridden and under pressure last, headed briefly elbow, hard ridden and rallied flat
chased leaders, led 12th, headed 14th (bechers), weakened before pulled up 18th
brought down 1st
fell 1st
held up, badly hampered 1st and 2nd, blundered 9th, hit 12th, behind from 13th, never dangerous
Plenty here with an eye on the big one in April including last season¿s fifth home Forest Gunner, who gets the vote here in front of Le Duc and Direct Access and It Takes Time. The selection went to the National in great form having landed two good races here and at Haydock. With the eyes of the world watching he ran a terrific race under Carrie Ford until being outstayed, and was given a wonderful ride. In the end, though, the task proved beyond the brave pair, who nevertheless did themselves proud. Nina Carberry is an able replacement for Carrie and a big run can be expected. Le Duc, like most of the Paul Nichols yard should improve for his recent spin round Chepstow and looks weighted to go close. It Takes Time has to shoulder top-weight but hails from the in form Pipe team and on the pick of last season¿s form he is entitled to be involved in the finish. Direct Access is one that does throw in the odd blunder, but he was most impressive when giving weight and a beating to Lord Capitain at Ayr last December, he gets in here with bottom weight and if he doesn't put a foot wrong today he will be a major threat to all. So a very competitive renewal of the Beecher Chase and Forest Gunner is the pick
It Takes Time (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 14th, went 2nd 4 out, ridden 2 out, every chance and hung right last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Kock De La Vesvre (10-4) at Perth 3m hcp chs (B) sft in Apr.
Bindaree (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, behind from halfway, 11th of 40, well behind Hedgehunter (11-1) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr.
Forest Gunner 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway and in touch 6th (Becher's Brook), effort after 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 40, 27l behind Hedgehunter (11-1) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr.
Nil Desperandum (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Rear of mid-division, moderate 7th after 3 out, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace, 7th of 11, 25l behind Vintage Port (10-1) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 sft in Oct.
Heros Collonges (FR) 66-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway and in touch 20th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 40, 42l behind Hedgehunter (11-1) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr.
Juveigneur (FR) 14-1 (10-4) In touch, steady headway 15th, tracked leading pair, going well 4 out, ridden to lead last, headed and not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Jack High (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr.
Haut de Gamme (FR) 11-1 (11-6) Held up, in rear, headway 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Mister Arjay (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Oct.
Le Duc (FR) 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden along 4 out, never nearer, 11th of 15, 41l behind Lacdoudal (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (A) sft in Oct.
Amberleigh House (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) With leader, ridden and outpaced 4 out, soon lost place, weakened next, 5th of 7, 28l behind St Matthew (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f lst hcp chs (A) sft in Oct.
Double Honour (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led 10th, mistake and headed 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 4th of 12, 16l behind Iris Bleu (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gd.
Exit Swinger (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Always behind, 10th of 14, well behind Mr Ed (11-5) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Jun '04.
Strong Resolve (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Close up, effort approaching 3 out, one pace and no impression, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Longstone Lass (10-6) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft.
Cregg House (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Never a factor, 13th of 21, 39l behind The Boys In Green (10-9) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-140 sft in Apr.
Just In Debt (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Behind from halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Ross Comm (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (C) hvy in Oct, 17 ran.
Garvivonnian (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Always prominent, led from 6 out, headed soon after 3 out, soon no impression under pressure, 5th of 15, 10l behind Star Clipper (10-2) at Limerick 3m hcp chs gs in Oct.
Rheindross (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Always prominent, led 16th, clear last, easily, won at Uttoxeter 4m hcp chs 0-140 (B) gf in Jun beating Caught At Dawn (10-6) by 7l, 16 ran.
Philson Run (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, some headway 12th, weakened approaching 5 out, 8th of 11, well behind I Hear Thunder (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Oct.
Direct Access (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Led to 3rd, stayed chasing winner, blundered 9th, lost 2nd 17th, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 21l behind Joly Bey (11-9) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Feb.
What Odds (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 4th 4 out, outpaced after 3 out, 6th 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 21, 7l behind No Half Session (10-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 sft in Apr.
