held up in rear, headway 3 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, never nearer
chased leaders, led 4 out, strongly challenged next, headed soon after last, no extra
mid-division, headway 14th, soon chasing leaders, slow 4 out, effort next, weakened before last
held up in rear, headway 3 out, never dangerous
held up in rear, weakened 13th, behind when pulled up 3 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before next
led, headed 12th, weakened before 14th, behind when pulled up 4 out
chased leaders, lost place 11th, soon behind, pulled up after 4 out
mid-division, driven and headway 4 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 5th, soon chasing leaders, led 12th, headed 4 out, weakened next
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, lost place 8th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 13th
mid-division, headway to chase leaders halfway, ridden to challenge after 3 out, led soon after last, stayed on strongly
Nonrunner
Rolecarr arrives on a hat-trick after a couple of wins at Kelso but all of his chase victories have been on soft ground or worse. Chartreux' jumping let him down at Cheltenham but he'd impressed when beating a subsequent winner at Wincanton earlier while Real Milan still has a bit of scope and may have been feeling the effects of a hard race at The Festival when beaten in a three-runner race at Wetherby three weeks ago. Pigeon Island found a good turn of foot to win a veterans' race at Ascot earlier this month and the second has won since. But the grey is facing a tough task here under top weight. REQUIN has had a light campaign but looked to be on the way back when only beaten half-a-length by Fruity O'Rooney at Fontwell a couple of weeks ago. He may be able to go one better here with Ayr runner-up Ballycolin preferred of the others.
Pigeon Island 10-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, steady headway after 14th, chased leading pair going well before 2 out, switched left 2 out, went 2nd between last two, soon edged right, led last, came clear flat, won at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd beating Fruity O'Rooney (11-4) by 6l, 13 ran.
Chartreux (FR) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division on inside, outpaced 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened from next, 17th of 24, well behind Same Difference (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gs in Mar.
Real Milan (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Chased winner throughout, dived at 4th, mistake next, pushed along to challenge before 4 out, held next, driven and stayed on flat, always held, 2nd of 3, 3/4l behind Danimix (11-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (4) gs.
Rolecarr (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, pressed leader last, led run-in, just held on, won at Kelso 2m 7f Am hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb beating Or de Grugy (9-7) by ns, 8 ran.
Degas Art (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders on outside when blundered and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Mcmurrough (11-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs, 7 ran.
Blenheim Brook (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, soon towards rear, in rear from 8th, tailed off 14th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Battle Group (10-9) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd, 18 ran.
O Crotaigh (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Led, mistake 5th, headed 8th, led again next, jumped slowly and headed after 12th, chased leader, hit 4 out, lost 2nd soon after, went poor 4th after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 10, 45l behind Merrion Square (11-9) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Lord Redsgirth (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up, in a race won by Beeves (11-0) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar, 13 ran.
Brunswick Gold (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) Tracked leader until 5 out, lost place next, 8th of 12, 8l behind Cedre Bleu (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
Requin (FR) 5-1 (10-7) Tracked leading trio, headway to 3rd 7th, went 2nd fater 9th, closed 4 out, 3 lengths down next, closed on tiring winner and edged left towards finish, just held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Fruity O'Rooney (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft.
Ballycolin 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 3 out, headed before last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Do It For Dalkey (11-7) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Tyrone House (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) With leader, led before 8th, ridden and headed before last, weakened run-in, 7th of 8, 49l behind Humbie (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Good Order 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, left 2nd at 12th, pushed along before 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Shuil Royale (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Mar.
Rich Lord 13-2 (11-2) Held up in last pair in touch, outpaced 5 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression with leaders, 6th of 7, 14l behind Mcmurrough (11-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
