held up behind, mistakes 2nd and 4th, 5th and outpaced when mistake 4 out, soon no chance with leaders, tailed off
tracked leading pair, headway 4 out, led before next, drew readily clear from next, very easily
tracked leader, led narrowly 10th, headed before 3 out, soon driven and outpaced, no chance with winner from next, kept on same pace, lost 2nd after last
held up in touch, headway to track leaders 4 out, driven next, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd after last, no chance with winner
in rear, pushed along after 9th, soon struggling, no chance from 4 out, tailed off
led, headed narrowly 10th, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure from next, no impression
RIVERSIDE THEATRE has something to prove following a peculiar performance in the Arkle which was followed by a fall at Punchestown three from home when coming under pressure; he is, however, unbeaten in three runs here and looks ready for this step up in trip. Tatenen may not be easy to place for his new yard and this longer trip doesn't look an obvious move for Free World on all known evidence whilst Bakbenscher showed a worrying lack of respect for his fences last term and has it all to do at the weights. This is a very tough introduction for Altilhar which leaves an intriguing runner in Golan Way who made an impressive chase bow in a weaker race at Ludlow. This is a big ask on just his second start over fences but this game front-runner may just be able to get his rivals on the stretch and shouldn't be underestimated.
Bakbenscher 7-2 (11-4) Chased leader, challenged 2 out, quickened to lead on long run from last, won at Lingfield 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb beating Chariot Charger (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Riverside Theatre 7-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, left 5th 6 out, niggled along before next where fell, in a race won by Captain Cee Bee (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov chs G1 gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Tatenen (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, weakened from 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by From Dawn To Dusk (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Free World (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, tried to close after 3 out, no impression, blundered 2 out, 10th of 19, 47l behind Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Altilhar (USA) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division and headway after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 5th of 15, 12l behind Sangfroid (10-3) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr '09.
Golan Way 5-6fav (11-4) Led from 2nd, soon clear, unchallenged, won at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating Key Cutter (11-4) by 29l, 8 ran.
