towards rear, hampered 8th, blundered 10th, ridden and headway 4 out, one pace approaching last
towards rear, mistake 1st, hampered and unseated rider 8th
in touch, took closer order 8th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, every chance last, all out towards finish
in touch, ridden 3 out, pecked 2 out, held when mistake last
towards rear, mistake 3rd, reminders 7th, behind from 3 out, pulled up 2 out
towards rear, some headway 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden when headed 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, took closer order 9th, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, all out near finish
held up, hampered 5th, effort and headway 4 out, kept on, not reached leaders
in touch when fell 5th
held up, hampered 8th, behind from 3 out
tracked leaders, stumbled after 9th, ridden 3 out, weakening when mistake last
in touch, hampered 8th, behind from next, soon tailed off
led, hit 3rd, headed 4th, in touch when fell 8th
mid-division, weakened 10th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, hampered 5th, ridden and headway 4 out, kept on to chase leaders last, not reached leading pair
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
mid-division, reminders 7th, headway 4 out, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, hampered 8th and lost place, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Dear Villez has the form to win this and can give his rival a real run for their money at the expense of Ambobo and Arturio. The selection made mince meat of his rivals when beating Dusky Warbler by a healthy ten lengths last time out. That form looks solid and although this strong wind might just dry out the ground slightly he seems to handle most surfaces although a decent cut would work in his favour. He looks the stable pick on jockey bookings and for that reason he is respected. Stable second string Arturio was well fancied to score on his latest run at Wincanton but was a disappointing fourth to Stripe Me Blue. On that evidence he will not be good enough but the stable still think a bit of him so any market moves should be noted. Ambobo won a poor Beginners chase at Navan last time out but had good form in France a couple of years ago and was good enough to run at the Festival in the past. He could do no more than win his latest race and as he is still unexposed as a chaser so is worth noting in the market. But for the winner we return to Dear Villez.
Big Buck's (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Held up, jumped slowly 5th and 7th, went 3rd approaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, edged left approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace last, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Kruguyrova (10-9) at Warwick 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Dear Villez (FR) 8-11fav (11-6) Jumped well, made all, hung left from last, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov chs (3) sft in Dec beating Dusky Warbler (11-6) by 10l, 5 ran.
Barbers Shop 5-4fav (11-0) Always prominent, led 4th, not fluent and headed briefly 7th, drew well clear from 4 out, very easily, won at Kempton 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Feb beating Russian Around (11-0) by 17l, 8 ran.
Ambobo (USA) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, improved to close 2nd after 2 out, challenged approaching last, edged ahead run-in, kept on well, won at Naas 2m 3f beg chs sft in Feb beating Macs Mandalus (11-12) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Arturio (FR) Evensfav (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, effort next, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 7l behind Stripe Me Blue (10-8) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Merry Cowboy (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Always behind, slight mistake 1st, trailing from 3 out, 6th of 9, 29l behind Maralan (11-4) at Navan 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Gold Medallist 10-11fav (10-12) Made all, stayed on, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Feb beating Rustarix (10-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
The Hairy Lemon 9-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along and headway approaching 3 out, hard ridden to lead after last, battled gamely, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb beating Randwick Roar (11-1) by a hd, 6 ran.
Finger Onthe Pulse (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leader, mistake 2nd, led from next, mistake 5 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on without troubling winner, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Glencove Marina (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Fleet Street 50-1 (10-8) Mid-division until weakened after 5th, 16th of 24, 28l behind Wingman (10-0) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Jumped slightly right, chased winner, ridden approaching 4 out, no chance with winner from 2 out, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Ornais (11-8) at Newbury 3m nov chs (2) gs in Feb.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up, mistake 1st and 11th, jumped right next and 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 24l behind Lead On (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Gods Token 1-4fav (11-4) Made all, mistake 1st, and 3 out when challenged, ridden clear last, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd beating Beesneez (10-12) by 16l, 4 ran.
Templer (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, driven after 4 out, led after next, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd beating Strawberry (10-7) by 3l, 5 ran.
Something Wells (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on, soon held by winner, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Arturio (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Boomshakalaka (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance after 3 out, faded approaching last, hung right flat, 4th of 10, 19l behind Arturio (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Possol (FR) 10-1 (10-11) Tracked winner, led 12th, soon quickened pace, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on, held from next, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Mister Quasimodo (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f Grad Ch (2) gs in Feb.
Lord Ryeford (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed after last, no extra, 3rd of 19, 8l behind Lordsbridge (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Feb.
Pauillac (FR) 5-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway 7th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Templer (11-3) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd.
The Entomologist (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Boomshakalaka (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
