mid-division, headway, mistake 27th, ridden after next, soon beaten
mid-division, headway 16th, mistake 27th, ridden, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, mistake 18th, headway 27th, ridden, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, blundered 21st, soon behind, pulled up before 23rd
mid-division, headway 17th, effort 2 out, weakened quickly
chased leaders, ridden after 27th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, lost place 26th, headway 29th, led after 2 out, soon clear, ridden out
prominent until after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up, good headway after 2 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, no further impression
held up, headway from 24th, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, some late progress from 2 out, never a danger
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 23rd
held up, hit 3rd, headway 27th, effort approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on
led 2nd until 2 out, weakened
mid-division, hit 4th, tailed off 15th, pulled up before 19th
led until 2nd, chased leaders, lost place 20th, tailed off when pulled up before 25th
Irish raiders have dominated the Cross Country Chase since it was added to the Festival roster three years ago and Never Compromise edges the verdict as the one to inherit the crown today. Wonderkid is entitled to be thereabouts, while Heads Onthe Ground and his stable-mate Garde Champetre also pose a formidable challenge. The last named won a similar contest at Punchestown last month and seems to have been revitalised for his switch to the 'Cross Country master trainer', Enda Bolger. Any further rain will not inconvenience the gelding and he should not be underestimated. Heads On the Ground won this race last year under Nina Carberry (partners Garde Champetre today), but is due to team up with JT McNamara this time around. Both jockeys are more than capable at this level and the move only adds to the spice of this showpiece. McNamara knows the gelding very well and his patience in the saddle will be a big plus for the reigning champion. Wonderkid, who won over course and distance at the December meeting, has strong claims on a literal reading of the form. However, he is now 9lb worse off with Heads On the Ground and, as he has suffered with muscle problems, he is not one to be wading in with at cramped odds. It may be best to gauge the reaction of the on-course betting ring before diving overboard with Tony Martin¿s charge. Others to bear in mind for a place include: the enigmatic Le Duc, who has the capability go close if he can stay focused, while Royal Auclair still retains enthusiasm and, as age is no barrier to success in this type of event, he can play a strong part. However, Never Compromise, another of the elder statesmen, is worth another chance today. Ted Walsh may argue that the handicapper has been very harsh in allotting his charge 129 for this year¿s renewal. But the assessor has been even harsher with a few of the others and, as he is not expected to be fazed about the hustle and bustle Cheltenham Festival brings, Never Compromise is taken to rise to the occasion this afternoon.
Heads Onthe Ground (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden after 2 out, challenged and every chance last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Garde Champetre (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs hvy in Feb.
Royal Auclair (FR) 7-2fav (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden after 5 out, slightly outpaced between last 2, stayed on flat, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Tango Royal (10-3) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Kilbeggan Blade 4-1co-fav (11-9) Led until 2nd, chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Iroquois Warrior (11-11) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Casadei (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Towards rear, closer before 5th, mistake 18th, led after 2 out, headed last, stayed on flat, held final 75 yards, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Spot Thedifference (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) gf in Nov.
Le Duc (FR) 4-6fav (12-0) Close up, not fluent 4 out, led 3 out, left clear 2 out, ridden out, won at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) gd in Feb beating Milord Lescribaa (11-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Florida Dream (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 5 out, led approaching 2 out, headed flat, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Finzi (10-5) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Feb.
Garde Champetre (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 6th before halfway, improved into 4th 4 out, 3rd next, ridden 2 out, improved to lead last, stayed on, won at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs hvy in Feb beating Heads Onthe Ground (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Never Compromise (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Attempted to make all, ridden 3 out, strongly pressed after 2 out, headed last, kept on, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Garde Champetre (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs hvy in Feb.
Native Jack (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Blundered 21st, always in rear, 11th of 16, well behind Heads Onthe Ground (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty hcp chs (2) sft.
Freneys Well 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division on outer, 9th and ridden after 3 out, kept on, 6th of 24, 25l behind Chasing Cars (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hdl gs in Feb.
Wonderkid 14-1 (11-6) In rear, no impression from 3 out, kept on same pace, 9th of 16, 29l behind Clarnazar (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl gs in Feb.
Mange Tout (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Led, not fluent and headed 9th, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching 2 out, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Kings Brook (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
A New Story (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden 4 out, 5th 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 7l behind What's In Front (9-10) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Feb.
Ivoire De Beaulieu (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Prominent, 3rd to 6th, 4th halfway, ridden 6 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Garde Champetre (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs hvy in Feb, 16 ran.
Harrycone Lewis 20-1 (10-4) Led, headed 6th, reminders after 12th, soon weakened, 11th of 16, well behind Miko de Beauchene (11-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Bosham Mill 14-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, blundered 18th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by King Harald (11-8) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Feb, 19 ran.
