prominent in chasing group, chased leaders 14th, 2nd 3 out, kept on same from next
always in rear, tailed off 4 out, pulled up after next
pressed leader at strong pace and clear of rest, led 4th until 7th, chased leader until 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway approaching 15th, chased leaders next, 3rd 3 out, kept on same pace from next
held up off the pace, outpaced when not fluent 13th, headway approaching 15th, outpaced 3 out, went modest 4th between last two until weakened run-in
soon close up in chasing group, weakened 15th
led at strong pace, headed 4th, led again 7th, reduced lead 13th, blundered 14th, mistake and headed 15th, chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
unseated rider 1st
chased clear leading pair, closed 13th, led 15th, clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly
in touch in chasing group, unseated rider on flat after 10th
towards rear, some headway before 2 out, never on terms
well in rear, stayed on from 2 out, kept on run-in, never going pace to threaten
held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, went never nearer 4th run-in
held up towards rear, headway 12th, not fluent 15th, driven along in 5th before 2 out, one pace run-in
NonRunner
This has attracted a bumper entry and looks a trick puzzle to solve. Creevytennant won this last year and is only 3lb higher. Shotavodka beat Pete The Feat 11 lengths in one of these at Newbury but the second should get a lot closer on today's terms. Court By Surprise was pulled up last time but is not out of this on his best form and likewise Ardkilly Witness. Forgotten Gold is often let down by his jumping but isn't badly treated and Pete The Feat's stablemate Grandads Horse also warrants a mention. THEATRICAL STAR could give us a run for our money at decent odds as this is the first time he's run in one of these veterans' races and he was making the frame in good company off higher marks just over a year ago. Opening Batsman was a good second in the Grade 3 BetBright Chase at Kempton last time and races off the same mark so is another for the short-list but So Fine prefers hurdles.
Mon Parrain (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led 11th, headed 16th, weakened after next, 15th of 22, dist behind Cause Of Causes (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Opening Batsman (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge, 2nd of 15, 10l behind Theatre Guide (10-6) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Creevytennant (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Led until 3 out, weakened next, pulled up before last, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Shotavodka (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon every chance, led after 2 out, drew clear last, very easily, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar beating Pete The Feat (10-9) by 11l, 12 ran.
Court By Surprise (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, tailed off when pulled up before 7 out, at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Grandads Horse 20-1 (11-3) Held up, just about in touch 18th, not fluent next, soon weakened, 14th of 22, dist behind Cause Of Causes (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Pete The Feat (IRE) 5-1jfav (10-9) Led, jumped right throughout, challenged from 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 11l behind Shotavodka (10-3) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Theatrical Star 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place 8th, soon behind, no danger after, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Forgotten Gold (IRE) 17-2 (10-10) Held up in touch, pushed along before 12th, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 10, 32 1/4l behind Sego Success (11-1) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Ardkilly Witness (IRE) 5-1 (12-10) Lost shoe and reshod at start, prominent, led briefly 3rd, chased leaders, led again 16th until 4 out, chased leader until 3 out, went 2nd again run-in, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Jennys Surprise (11-12) at Sandown 3m (3) sft in Mar.
Si C'etait Vrai (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Close up, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up next, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Loch Ba (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 16, dist behind Aloomomo (11-1) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Foundry Square (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Mid-division, in touch 6th, tracked front pair 5 out, 3 lengths down when left 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner from next, 2nd of 9, 16l behind Top Wood (11-5) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
So Fine (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) In touch, hard driven 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 23 3/4l behind Shotavodka (10-3) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Representingceltic (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Towards rear, weakened from 13th, last of 9, dist behind Danimix (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
