in rear, behind from 9th
led, ridden and headed 4 out, 3rd and beaten when unseated rider 2 out
tracked leader until 4th, chased leader again 10th until mistake 12th, left 3rd 2 out, kept on to go 2nd flat
hit 1st, mid-division, unseated rider 15th
mid-division, mistake 14th, ridden and headway after 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, led next, ran on
chased leaders, unseated rider 2nd
close up, chased leader 12th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd flat
close up, chased leader 4th, weakened 12th
in rear, never a factor
held up, distant 6th when blundered and unseated rider 12th
in rear, behind from 9th
behind, pulled up after 4 out
Nonrunner
Two previous winners in the race and of the two it is BOLACHOIR who is preferred, with Scots Dragoon and Gaora Lane viewed as obvious dangers. A good second to Mr Big last month should have put the selection spot-on for this assignment. He refused when well-held in last-year's renewal but won this race in 2008 and with a bit of luck he should run well. Sally Randell knows Oakfield Legend well, having ridden him to victory twelve months ago. He doesn't have a recent run under his belt but he has gone well fresh in the past, as he won this on his first start last season. Kilbeggan Blade must see this as a drop in grade having contested some competitive handicaps of late; he is a major player on his old form but Tim Edwards will need to get him into a good rhythm early on. Rustarix is not to be ignored on his old form, whilst River Indus is consistent but at a more lowly level. Distant Thunder was once third in the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham (2007), Gaora Lane was put in his place at Fakenham last time out but should be happier on this more galloping track, whilst this is a change of direction for Garleton who is a strong stayer who should give his running. The consistent Scots Dragoon hasn't been seen since a solid second to Fine By Me at Wincanton on Boxing Day, but he is considered despite nagging doubts over his ability to stay on up the hill today. The last time that Reverend Beveridge rode in this race he was cannoned into by a loose horse and unseated so let's hope that God is more on his side this afternoon and he gets a tune out of Irish Stream. An open renewal, but former glories can be re-lived by Bolachoir.
Jamadiel (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 22, 27l behind Ameretto Son (10-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f am hcp ch 0-102 in Oct.
Oakfield Legend 25-1 (9-9) With leader, led after 3rd, hit 4 out, ridden next, headed approaching last, soon weakened, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Don't Push It (10-11) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Apr.
River Indus 11-4fav (10-11) Chased leaders in 4th, mistake 8th, hit 10th, went distant 3rd approaching 4 out, 3rd of 7, 34l behind Newbay Bob (10-9) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Rustarix (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 20l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Scots Dragoon 9-2fav (11-1) In touch, effort to chase winner 4 out, soon ridden, kept on and every chance until one pace approaching last, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Fine By Me (9-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Bolachoir (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) In touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Mr Big (11-12) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Distant Thunder (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 14th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Mr Big (11-12) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Gaora Lane (IRE) 15-8 (11-7) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 11th, soon tailed off, plugged on, 3rd of 4, well behind Victorias Groom (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Garleton (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along 13th, headway from 6 out, no impression, 5th of 16, 31l behind Gidam Gidam (11-0) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Feb.
Irish Stream (USA) 33-1 (12-7) Bhnd til ur 4 out, in a race won by Long Night (12-0) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp in Feb, 11 ran.
Mokum (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Held up, in rear, behind 12th, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 40l behind Plum Pudding (10-8) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Tuscany Star (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Prominent until mistake and weakened 5th, soon struggling, tailed off, 8th of 12, 37l behind Qaspal (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Feb.
Kilbeggan Blade 28-1 (11-7) Held up, weakened from 7 out, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Gidam Gidam (11-0) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
