always in touch blundered 10th, went 2nd 4 out, every chance 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
held up in rear, steady headway 16th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, upsides last, pushed into lead soon after, driven out
chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, led after 17th, joined 3 out, kept advantage unti headed soon after last, kept on flat
chased leader until 8th, close up until weakened approaching 16th, tailed off
took keen hold, in rear, headway to chase leaders, 8th, went 2nd 12th until 16th, weakened approaching 3 out
towards rear, steady headway 13th, ridden one pace and no impression from 4 out
made most until headed after 17th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
close up, ridden along and outpaced 17th, stayed on from 3 out, went 3d before last, kept on flat, not reach leaders
behind, not fluent 6th, ridden and struggling 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 16th
behind, headway on outside 12th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, hit next
towards rear, ridden and stayed on from 4 out, plugged on flat, never going pace to threaten
mistake 1st, never reached beyond mid-division, struggling 15th, tailed off
behind, struggling 13th, plugged on from 3 out
in rear, blundered 8th, tailed off when pulled up after 12th
behind, headway before 4 out, in touch before next, blundered and weakened 2 out
Nonrunner
Former Welsh National winner Halcon Genelardais is an interesting addition to the hunter chase ranks but is probably best watched here after a lay-off. Turthen is an established performer at this level, but MONCADOU showed what he was capable of when finishing second to Silver Adonis in the Fox Hunters' at Aintree last April and looks capable of scoring on his reappearance. Of the remainder, Whizzaar should get involved with a clear round and Distant Thunder was in good form in the early part of last year, though isn't getting any younger. Cloud Nine and Gentle George look best of the rest.
Gentle George 10-3 (11-7) Led mistake and headed 4th, chased leaders, outpaced 15th, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 45l behind The Cool Guy (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gd in May.
Turthen (FR) 6-1 (12-0) Behind, headway 9th, 4th 2 out, went 2nd last, looked dangerous briefly, lost 2 places near finish, 4th of 15, 4l behind Roulez Cool (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gf in May.
Whizzaar 4-9 (12-5) Led 5-11 & 12-14; one pce 3 out, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Bon Accord (12-5) at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gf in May.
Apollo Blaze (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led aft 2 til hdd aft 8; wknd qckly 12; to, 9th of 12, well behind Picaroon (11-0) at Black Forest Lodge 3m ptp in Jan.
Distant Thunder (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, kept on from last, held on well towards finish, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp hunt chs (4) gd in May beating Blu Teen (12-4) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Moncadou (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, headway on outer from 6th, went 2nd from 10th (Bechers Brook), 4th approaching 2 out, chased winner from elbow, kept on same pace, 2nd of 21, 4l behind Silver Adonis (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs in Apr.
Cloud Nine (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Hdwy 7; wknd 15, 7th of 11, 27l behind Description (11-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Halcon Genelardais (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 15th, weakened approaching 17th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
Hunt Ball (IRE) (11-7) won at Umberleigh 3m ptp fm in Jun beating Redworth Boy (12-0) by 5l, 5 ran.
Jayne's Crusader 15-2 (12-7) Ap; led 10 til hdd last; led flat; just held on, won at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan beating Mount Benger (12-7) by hd, 8 ran.
Ornais (FR) 11-2 (11-11) Chased leader, led approaching 12th, headed 14th, chased leader until pulled up and dismounted 18th, in a race won by Barbers Shop (11-5) at Sandown 3m lst chs (1) sft in Dec '08, 5 ran.
Pastek (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Rcd wide & sev posns; 8th aft 15; kpt on wl flat, 4th of 9, 5l behind Ned The Post (12-0) at Chipley Park 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Scrappie (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) (tt) hdwy 18; one pce 2 out, 4th of 10, 9l behind Maletton (12-0) at Cold Harbour 4m ptp in May.
Shardakhan (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, weakened 8th, tailed off, 14th of 18, well behind Lie Forrit (11-8) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov '09.
Kiama 3-1 (11-7) Chsd ldrs til fell 5, in a race won by Dammam (12-3) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan, 15 ran.
Back To Bid (IRE) 14-1 (12-5) Hdwy 10; wknd 4 out; pu 2 out, in a race won by Naunton Brook (12-5) at Dunthrop 4m ptp in Jan, 11 ran.
