tracked leaders to 4th, behind when hampered 6th, soon struggling
held up towards rear, struggling when hampered 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, chased leader 4 out, ridden every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
led, hit 3rd, headed 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, one pace from next
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 8th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, effort 7th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before last
reluctant to start, always well behind
tracked leader, led 6th, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on flat
towards rear, brought down 6th
held up, hampered 6th, weakened from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up, ridden after 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when unseated rider last
tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, lost place from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out
prominent, when fell 6th
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
Our shortlisted three are Nyrche, Ground Ball and Armaturk, with the vote going to Nyrche. In a race carrying the famous name of Red Rum, the form of the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham will probably have a bearing on its outcome. The fourth there, Nyrche, is seven pounds better off now for four-and-a-half lengths with the winner Greenhope, who has been raised nine pounds for his efforts, while Ground Ball is now nine pounds better off for five-and-a-half lengths, so has to be respected too. Bambi de l'Orme finished tenth in the race. Given that he was unlucky not to win a novice chase over course and distance in November, Nyrche can maybe make amends today. Much as Armaturk has been raised five pounds for his Lingfield win, based on which he is entitled to just beat Bleu Superbe, he relishes a battle and can still go well. Tysou could yet remain competitive following a seven-pounds rise for his Sandown Grade 3 win, although Bambi de l'Orme is seven pounds better off for five-and-half lengths from that race. Andreas was fancied to go well at Cheltenham last time but fell there, and Almaydan, who admittedly has gone off the boil of late, is very well-weighted with him based on last April's form. Irish Grade 3 novice chase winner Mansony could be interesting on his handicap debut, and Monjayau ran pretty well before falling in a race Mansony won last time. Overall, though, in a cracking good heat, we will side with Nyrche.
Armaturk (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, reminder approaching 8th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Fondmort (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Tysou (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar, 23 ran.
Town Crier (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (11-12) Tracking leaders in 3rd when fell at the 5th in race won by Kalca Mome (10-12) at Haydock 2m hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Hand Inn Hand 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 11th, mistake 12th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 12l behind Fondmort (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar.
Andreas (FR) 4-1fav (11-9) Held up, fell 4th fell at the 4th in race won by Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar, 23 ran.
Ground Ball (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, not fluent last, one pace flat, 6th of 23, 6l behind Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Greenhope (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Prominent, led 3rd to 8th, mistake 4 out, ridden to lead again 2 out, ran on, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar beating Tiger Cry (10-13) by 2l, 23 ran.
Mansony (FR) 4-5fav (11-12) Made all, jumped well, clear after 2 out, driven out and kept on well from last, won at Naas 2m nov chs hvy in Mar beating King Johns Castle (11-0) by 3l, 11 ran.
Nyrche (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 5th, every chance 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 23, 4 1/2l behind Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 10th, ridden and blundered badly 3 out, weakened flat, 10th of 23, 10l behind Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Palua 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 11, 16l behind Almaydan (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan.
Almaydan 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, 4th of 10, 21l behind Kalca Mome (10-12) at Haydock 2m hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Demi Beau 14-1 (10-13) Raced freely, led, hit 5th, blundered and headed 3 out, weakening when fell 2 out in race won by Reveillez (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (1) gd in Mar, 18 ran.
Jacks Craic (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Patiently ridden, held up and behind on outside, headway 9th, challenging when went left 3 out, led 2 out, ridden clear run-in, won at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar beating Jurado Express (11-5) by 8l, 11 ran.
Bleu Superbe (FR) 40-1 (10-11) Mid-division, blundered badly and fell 4 out unseated rider 4 out in race won by Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar, 23 ran.
Monjoyau (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, no impression when fell in race won by Mansony (11-4) at Navan 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb, 6 ran.
Tribal Dispute 40-1 (10-6) In touch to 4 out, weakening when hampered 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar, 23 ran.
