took keen hold, with leader and cleared rest from 7th, weakened rapidly after 3 out, virtually pulled up flat
behind, steady headway from 11th, chased leaders after 4 out, close up next, stayed on same pace before last
raced in mid-division, mistake 3rd, steady headway and effort before 3 out, stayed in touch until weakened before next
chased leaders, to before 7th soon lost place and behind
held up in rear, steady headway from 10th, tracked clear leading pair 4 out, challenged 3 out, led before last, kept on strongly, run in
mid-division, mistake 8th, lost place 13th, stayed on approaching last, kept on steadily run in, never able to challenge
always in rear
led 3rd, clear with one other from 7th, came back to field after 4 out, headed when mistake last, weakened flat
chased leaders, lost place 7th, well behind when blundered 10th, pulled up before next
alway behind, tailed off when blundered 12th, pulled up before 2 out
not fluent, held up, steady headway from 8th, effort and chance 3 out, weakened last
mid-division, ridden and no chance from 13th, well behind when jumped right last 2
always in rear
led to 3rd, stayed prominent until lost place 12th, no chance after
Last year's winner Red Brook Lad has been in good form in point-to-points recently and he is selected over previous course and distance scorer Sikander A Azam, who is also in good heart at present. Satchmo and Emperor Ross are others to throw into the mix and will be interesting to note in the betting market if they are supported. The last mentioned is ground dependant and his chance will increase if the rains arrive. Whereas Satchmo, fourth in the Fox Hunters Chase at Aintree last year, also arrives after a win in the pointing fields and has to be given plenty of respect in this company. As a previous winner of this race he has to be given plenty of respect but, as he is now five years down the line, it is safe to assume that the younger brigade will know all there is to know about him. Sikander A Azam will be a big danger to the selection if he runs up to form. He will handle the ground and one of the more experienced riders in Tom Greenhall doing the steering. He is unable to use his 3lb claim but should ensure that there is no let up in the pace. However, Red Brook Lad appears to have been primed for a bid to retain his crown and he can grant Charlotte Tizzard a smooth passage on a track he knows very well.
Perange (FR) 16-1 pulled up in race won by Free Gift at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan, 16 ran.
Red Brook Lad 6-4fav won at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Little Brown Bear by 11l, 14 ran.
Sikander A Azam 5-6fav Held up in touch, headway 10th, chased winner 13th, ridden 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Placid Man at Warwick 2m 4f hts chs (H) gd in May.
Act In Time (IRE) 12-1 won at Larkhill 3m ptp gd beating Tales Of Bounty by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Emperor Ross (IRE) Evensfav won at Alnwick 3m ptp frm in Jan beating Just Barney Boy by 10l, 5 ran.
Gadz'art (FR) 50-1 Mid-division, lost place halfway, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Telemoss at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Oct, 7 ran.
Royal Jake (IRE) 14-1 Prominent, 4th to halfway, 6th 5 out, no extra after 4 out, 6th of 13, 32l behind Torduff Boy at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs gs in May '03.
Satchmo (IRE) 5-1 won at Higham 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Madmidge by 8l, 13 ran.
Silver Lake (IRE) 16-1 pulled up in race won by Satchmo at Higham 3m ptp gd in Jan, 13 ran.
Don Royal 50-1 Mid-division, headway 15th, ridden 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 12, 29l behind Cantarinho at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (H) gd in May.
Gentlemans Relish 6-1 3rd of 16, 5l behind Grey Fandango at Dingley 2m 4f ptp gd in Apr.
Hot Plunge 33-1 pulled up in race won by Free Gift at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan, 16 ran.
River Bailiff (IRE) 7-1 2nd of 5, 10l behind Tom Cobbler at Godstone 3m ptp sft.
Tanager 6-1 Behind, lost touch 9th, stayed on from 2 out, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 21l behind Star Glow at Huntingdon 3m nov hts chs (H) gs.
