led 2nd to 4th, remained prominent, led 9th, ridden and swished tail approaching last, hung badly left flat, ran on
held up, blundered 6th and 7th, headway from 4 out, weakened 2 out
behind, mistake 3rd, ridden after 6th, tailed off
chased leaders, bumped 9th, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out
prominent, lost place 4th, no chance when blundered 3 out
reluctant to race, held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden 8th, weakened approaching 4 out
led until blundered and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, led 4th to 8th, weakened approaching 4 out
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner 3 out, stayed on same pace
in touch, led 8th to 9th, weakening when mistake 2 out
mid-division, blundered 7th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
left in lead 1st, headed 2nd, prominent until 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
alway behind
Nonrunner
In the hunter chase, Bill Haze is selected ahead of Cornish Gale and Chef Tartare. Cornish Gale wwon well at this level over two-and-a-half miles three runs apo and, given that he is returning to a shorter trip from his last two runs, can be seen in a better light today and go well. Chef Tartare was winning from a mark of 112 under Rules last April and, even though his last two runs leave something to be desired, he cannot be ruled out at this level. Bill Haze comes here in good heart, having won his last two, so is very much respected, while the Hughie Morrison-trained Thieves'glen, who was rated 115 last spring, has also to be given some serious thought. Abalvino won a hunter chase in February, so he has recent form to offer and can have a case built for him. As ever with these races, pay some heed to the betting but, for the selection, we will stick with Bill Haze.
Bill Haze 7-2 (11-9) Prominent, led 2 out, ridden and flashed tail flat, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m hts chs (5) hvy beating Cloudy Bay Boy (11-9) by 3l, 7 ran.
Chef Tartare (FR) 9-1 (11-13) Held up, hit and rider lost iron 1st, headway 11th, hit 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 10, 47l behind Another Raleagh (11-5) at Leicester 2m 7f hts chs (3) hvy.
Joris De Vonnas (FR) 20-1 (11-7) 5th of 11, 25l behind Double Ange (11-0) at Garnons 3m ptp gd.
Thieves'glen 16-1 (11-13) Raced wide, chased winner to 6th, stayed prominent until lost place 11th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by First Love (12-3) at Sandown 3m hts chs (4) sft, 6 ran.
Cornish Gale (IRE) 4-6fav (12-7) Won at Bangor 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Phyllis (11-7) by 8l, 8 ran.
Hot Plunge 12-1 (11-11) Behind, headway 3rd, mistake 5th, lost place next, kept on flat, 4th of 7, 22l behind Bill Haze (11-9) at Leicester 2m hts chs (5) hvy.
Let's Fly (FR) 15-8fav (12-2) In touch, pushed along 5th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Bill Haze (11-9) at Leicester 2m hts chs (5) hvy, 7 ran.
Viscount Bankes 18-1 (12-2) Chased leader, ridden 12th, soon weakened pulled up 3 out in race won by Raregem (12-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) sft, 5 ran.
Barton Bandit 66-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 6th, mistake 7th, weakened and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Abbey Days (11-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd, 11 ran.
Dun An Doras (IRE) 10-1 (12-7) Pulled up in race won by Oracle des Mottes (12-7) at Holnicote 3m ptp gd in Feb, 13 ran.
Elgar 16-1 (11-8) Fell in race won by Historic (11-8) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (E) gd in Apr '04, 11 ran.
Ivanoph (FR) 16-1 (11-11) Pulled hard, held up in rear, some headway 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 7, 41l behind No Retreat (12-0) at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) gs in Feb.
King's Travel (FR) 33-1 (11-0) 3rd of 8, 21l behind Sandy Duff (11-7) at Holnicote 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Lincoln Place (IRE) 10-1 (12-7) Pulled up in race won by Oracle des Mottes (12-7) at Holnicote 3m ptp gd in Feb, 13 ran.
River Pirate (IRE) 25-1 (12-1) In touch, weakened 10th, tailed off, 3rd of 8, well behind Abalvino (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hts chs (6) sft in Feb.
Toscanini (GER) 10-1 (12-0) 3rd of 13, 28l behind Ballylusky (12-7) at Howick 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Abalvino (FR) 9-1 (11-9) Led, jumped left 9th, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, well behind Another Raleagh (11-5) at Leicester 2m 7f hts chs (3) hvy.
