mid-division on inside, headway after 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 3 out
in touch, not fluent 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, took keen hold, mistake 1st, not fluent 4th, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, headway after 2 out, stayed on flat, nearest finish
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, led last, driven flat, stayed on well
mid-division, mistake 4th, well beaten after 4 out, blundered 3 out, tailed off
led until 4th, ridden approaching 6th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway on inside 3 out, never reached leaders
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden and struggling 4 out
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear, hit 3rd, not clear run approaching 3 out, headway soon after, disputing 5th when blundered last, no impression
tracked leader, led after 2nd, ridden when blundered 2 out, headed last, stayed on flat
in touch, pulled hard, went 2nd when mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
pulled hard in touch, challenged 6th, mistake 4 out, saddle slipped briefly, weakened 2 out
mid-division on outside, headway after 6th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway going well approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders, no extra flat
held up in rear, switched left 3 out, headway soon after, went 3rd flat, stayed on
held up towards rear, ridden 6th, well beaten 4 out
fell 1st
held up towards rear on outside, well beaten 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, mainly always towards rear
A fascinating battle between newcomers and the more established performers and we select AINAMA at the principal expense of Wishfull Thinking and Black Jack Blues. Nicky Henderson's charge was third behind Bouggler at this festival last year and while he has disappointed of late, this drop in trip should help alhough his jumping will need to be much better than the display he showed at Cheltenham. Wishfull Thinking has been a credit to Phillip Hobbs. He held every chance when coming to grief at the third last in the Coral Cup and could still be open to progression. Black Jack Blues is ordinarily ridden by Tony McCoy but as he is claimed elsewhere, Barry Geraghty is a more than capable deputy. Silverhand is a regular in big handicaps and has place claims on the pick of some of his better form. Ruby Walsh will be in the sauna to do 10st 4lb on Pistolet Noir so the market has to be watched. Mamlook seems to have plenty of weight and the assessor is slow to release the noose. Majaales won readily at Haydock and would probably have gone up by more than the 4lb penalty that the handicapper can throw at him. Pagan Starprincess is a likeable mare and if the ground stays on the softer side, she could surprise a few people given her unfashionable connections. Sir Harry Ormesher is best of the rest. Ainama is the recommendation in the finale.
Afsoun (FR) 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, led 3rd to 5th, led again before 7th, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Trenchant (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Mamlook (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Mid-division on outside, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and weakened last, 10th of 28, 15l behind Spirit River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Wishfull Thinking 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, disputed close up 3rd when fell next, in a race won by Spirit River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar, 28 ran.
El Dancer (GER) 25-1 (11-8) In touch, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 23, 38l behind Qaspal (10-3) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs in Mar.
Sir Harry Ormesher 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division, driven after 3 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from next, no impression, 7th of 28, 11l behind Spirit River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Sir Tantallus Hawk 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, headway 3 out, led after next, 3 lengths clear when mistake last, ridden out flat, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar beating Thumbs Up (11-11) by 6l, 6 ran.
Benfleet Boy 4-1 (11-12) Led until after 1st, steadied behind front pair, tracked leader 5th, led 3 out, hit 2 out, headed before and blundered last, stayed challenging under pressure and every chance until one pace final 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Arctic Wings (10-1) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Ainama (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Mid-division, hit 5th, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden and one pace, 8th of 24, 16l behind Buena Vista (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Honest John 25-1 (10-5) Close up, led 5th, clear and hit 2 out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Feb beating Dansimar (11-4) by 15l, 14 ran.
Songe (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Prominent main group, lost place after 3 out, ridden next, stayed on approaching last, never on terms, 10th of 28, 17l behind Thousand Stars (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
South O'The Border 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division, outpaced 2 out, never on terms, 10th of 24, 20l behind Buena Vista (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Silverhand (IRE) 22-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outside after 3 out, staying on when hampered next, soon ridden and no impression, 9th of 28, 13l behind Spirit River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Black Jack Blues (IRE) 1-4fav (11-8) Made all, drew clear approaching last, easily, won at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Cresswell Pride (10-12) by 10l, 12 ran.
Siberian Tiger (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Always prominent, 3rd 4 out, went 2nd 2 out and soon challenged, led at last, driven out and kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 5yo mdn hdl in Mar beating Brosna Val (11-2) by 3l, 21 ran.
Tara Royal 2-1fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led 2 out, drew clear flat, eased towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar beating Coastley (10-9) by 11l, 15 ran.
Doeslessthanme (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Led, jumped left 4th, pressed from 2 out, headed after last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Caravel (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Majaales (USA) 9-4fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 4th, headway next, challenged 2 out, soon switched right to join leader, led flat, driven out, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy beating Indian Groom (11-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
Pistolet Noir (FR) 25-1 (10-8) Always behind, 14th of 23, 38l behind Qaspal (10-3) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs in Mar.
Maraafeq (USA) 6-4fav (11-7) Held up in touch, challenged 3 out, led flat, driven out, won at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Mar beating Miss Sarenne (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Pagan Starprincess 13-2 (11-10) Held up in main group, headway after 8th, ridden 3 out, 3rd when hit next, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Marodima (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Pascha Bere (FR) 33-1 (10-3) Behind, headway into mid-division 2 out, never near leaders, 12th of 28, 19l behind Thousand Stars (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
I Hear A Symphony (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, slow 6th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 19, well behind Lake Legend (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
