never reached beyond mid-division
mid-division, weakened 5th, tailed off
behind, headway from 2 out, stayed on under pressure run-in
chased leaders, ridden when not much room after 2 out, weakened, mistake last
in touch, always going well, hit 5th, smooth headway on inside to track leaders when mistake 2 out, challenged last, led run-in, driven out
took keen hold, chased leaders, led 3rd, went right, hit 2 out, driven between last 2, mistake last, headed, not pace of winner run-in
keen hold, in touch, mistake, behind from 4th
mid-division, behind soon after 4th
raced wide, always towards rear
chased leaders, every chance 3 out, weakened between last 2
never reached beyond mid-division
in rear, moderate headway from 2 out
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
with leaders, went 2nd 3rd, ridden after 3 out, mistake, weakened 2 out
keen hold, prominent to 5th, soon behind, tailed off
in touch until weakened 5th
held up in rear, headway after 2 out, staying on at one pace when hit last, no extra run-in
raced wide, behind, brief effort 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, close-up 2 out, soon ridden, weakened between last 2
close up, challenging and going well when bumped 2 out, every chance when hit last, unable to quicken run-in
led to 3rd, weakened rapidly, tailed off
With the mares' allowance to help, Amaretto Rose can get Nicky Henderson off to a flyer in the traditional curtain-raiser to the Festival by seeing off a strong Irish challenge headed by De Valira and Hide The Evidence. There is no such thing as a banker at Cheltenham, but there will be many pinning their hopes on Amaretto Rose here on the back of two terrific efforts to date. She slaughtered two subsequent winners on her debut at Ascot, and was then even more impressive when following up in Grade 2 company at Haydock next time. That form is rock solid as well, and with no doubts about her ability to handle the ground, the mare looks all set to make it 1-0 to the home contingent. Looking at the main Irish hopes, Hide The Evidence certainly deserves his place in the line-up, having contested the AIG Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last time. Beaten 20-lengths by Hardy Eustace then, he will no doubt be a lot closer this time, and makes slightly more appeal than De Valira, who needs to bounce back after his disappointing effort at Punchestown. Paul Nicholls reckons that Granit Jack has a great chance after his improved performance at Taunton, and it would also be folly to rule out his stablemate Kicks For Free, who by all accounts is fully recovered from bursting a blood vessel, although the feeling is that he may be tapped for toe again up the hill as he was in last year's Champion Bumper. However, Nicky Henderson knows what is required to take this event, having won it twice in the past with River Ceirog and Flown, and the 150-rated Amaretto Rose must surely take all the beating.
Cedrus Libani (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Made most, ridden and kept on well from 2 out, won at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Naiad du Misselot (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
Classic Role 12-1 (11-2) Chased leading pair until 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 49l behind Silver Sister (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
De Soto 9-2 (11-7) Close up, ridden and dropped to rear after 3 out, stayed on again from 2 out, 4th of 7, 13l behind Silverburn (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Jan.
De Valira (IRE) 6-4 (11-5) Held up, 8th 3 out, 5th and headway 2 out, 2nd before last, stayed on without threatening winner, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Orbit O'gold (10-13) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Ebaziyan (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, close 2nd travelling best 2 out, slight advantage last, driven out to assert close home, won at Thurles 2m mdn hdl gs in Feb beating Dancing Hero (11-12) by 1l, 18 ran.
Granit Jack (FR) 1-5fav (11-3) Made all, unchallenged, won at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Missis Potts (10-10) by a distance, 11 ran.
Hide The Evidence (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Pulled hard early, 5th 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 8, 21l behind Hardy Eustace (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan.
Hobbs Hill 1-2fav (11-4) Made all, drew well clear after 2 out, unchallenged, won at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating William Bonney (11-11) by 17l, 14 ran.
I'm So Lucky 8-13fav (11-1) In touch going well, led on bit 3 out, easily, won at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) gs beating Always Baileys (9-11) by 7l, 16 ran.
Kalderon (GER) 14-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, 7th 3 out, ridden next, 4th and kept on under pressure from before last, 4th of 11, 4l behind Orbit O'gold (10-13) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Kicks For Free (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, chased winner soon after 3 out, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 8, 26l behind De Soto (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Le Burf (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Monfils Monfils (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Oh Danny Boy 25-1 (10-12) Mistakes, behind, 7th and no chance when blundered 2 out, 8th of 11, well behind Valiant Shadow (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Orbit O'Gold (USA) 50-1 (10-13) Made all, ridden clear after 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb beating De Valira (11-5) by 3l, 11 ran.
Rindoon (IRE) 5-4fav (11-3) Led, clear for most, mistakes 5th and 3 out, went further clear from before straight, easily, won at Limerick 2m nh nov hdl gs in Feb beating Monoceros (10-7) by 4l, 10 ran.
Shanghide 6-1 (11-6) Settled 3rd, mistake and dropped to rear 4th, driven along next, trailing when eased after 3 out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Pedrobob (11-6) at Leopardstown 2m hdl hvy in Dec.
Special Envoy (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Raced wide, blundered 1st, headway to track leaders 4th, ridden and weakened 6th, 6th of 13, 37l behind Ashley Brook (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy in Jan.
Tipperary All Star (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Always in the rear, 17th of 20, well behind Acambo (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Tyson (SAF) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 4 out, 6 lengths up when blundered last, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Polinamix (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Wins Now 2-1fav (11-9) In touch, improved into moderate 3rd approaching straight, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m nov hdl hvy in Feb beating Montana Bay (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Amaretto Rose 10-11fav (11-1) Held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, led on bit last, drew clear flat, easily, won at Haydock 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Astarador (11-11) by 18l, 8 ran.
She's Our Daisy (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 39l behind De Soto (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
