tracked leaders, lost place 22nd (2nd bechers), weakened afetr 3 out
held up mid-division, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, hampered by loose horse 17th, weakened and pulled up before 4 out
in touch on outside, lost place when mistake 26th, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division on outside when blundered badly and unseated rider 11th
prominent, led 5th to 7th, with leader, led again narrowly after 12th, headed when carried wide by loose horse after 16th (water), remained prominent, lost place after 4 out, weakened 2 out
towards rear, headway into mid-division 22nd (2nd bechers), weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before last
always behind
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 24th (2nd canal turn), led after 4 out, driven and headed before last, soon ridden, no impression with front pair flat, lost 3rd towards finish
always behind, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden after 2 out, never a threat
close up when fell 6th (bechers)
mid-division, hampered 6th (bechers), headway 24th (2nd canal turn), effort when bumped 2 out, pressed winner last, soon ridden and every chance, one pace and held approaching elbow
towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division, tracked leaders 11th, driven and outpaced before 2 out, no impression after
tracked leaders, badly hampered and rider lost irons 6th (bechers), soon not recover, pulled up before 9th (valentines)
in touch on inside, blundered and unseated rider 22nd (2nd bechers)
close up on outer, lost place 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, ridden after 2 out, never near leaders
mid-division, tracked leaders 11th, blundered 25th (2nd valentines), driven and one pace after 2 out, no impression after
held up behind, headway after 22nd (2nd bechers), tracked leaders going well before 2 out, led narrowly before last, ridden and stayed on strongly approaching elbow
towards rear, some headway before 2 out, never nearer
mid-division, outpaced before 2 out, well held when blundered last, soon pulled up
led to 5th, in touch, lost place 22nd (2nd bechers) weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
always behind, weakened 2 out, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last
mistakes early, held up behind, headway 19th, chased leaders 4 out, switched outside before 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace from last, no impression
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 3 out, 5th approaching last, ridden and stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, no impression with front pair
mid-division, fell 1st
always behind
mid-division, mistake 6th (bechers), blundered and unseated rider 15th (chair)
towards rear, hampered and unseated rider 6th (bechers)
prominent on outer, lost place 9th, (valentines), soon behind, pulled up before 13th
with leader, led 7th to 12th, close up, led again after 16th (water), made most after, headed after 4 out, weakened 2 out, pulled up after last
fell 1st
prominent, when hampered by loose horse and unseated rider 9th (valentines)
mid-division, in touch 21st, hit 24th (2nd canal turn), effort when bumped 2 out, every chance last, soon ridden and one pace, no extra approaching elbow
tracked leaders, mistake 24th (2nd canal turn), outpaced 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, outpaced before 2 out, never near leaders, ridden and weakened after last
always behind, blundered 14th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
The Last Samuri was beaten 14 lengths by Definitly Red in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster and is no better off at the weights. But another tilt at this, in which he finished a gallant second last year, has always been the long-term aim, though he is 12lb higher. Vieux Lion Rouge won the Becher Chase here in December but only three lengths covered the first five home and all take their chance today. Second Highland Lodge won the Becher in 2015, The Last Samuri was third and Ucello Conti was fourth. Fifth-placed One For Arthur later beat Goodtoknow in the Classic Chase at Warwick and has stamina in abundance, while Vieux Lion Rouge overturned Blaklion in the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February, though the latter is now better off at the weights. He’s one with a touch of class along with Gold Cup fifth and sixth Saphir Du Rheu and More Of That, who could figure if lasting home. Tenor Nivernais is a bold-jumping front-runner and he’s ridden by Liam Treadwell, who rode Mon Mome to victory at 100/1 in 2009. THE YOUNG MASTER heads the short-list as he was more like his old self at Cheltenham last month and is only 2lb higher than when landing the bet365 Gold Cup over 3m5f at Sandown a year ago - Sam Waley-Cohen rides these fences as well as anyone. Irish trainers have been up in arms over their treatment by the handicapper but connections of former Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere can’t complain over a mark of 147 and three-times Cheltenham Festival winner Cause Of Causes was eighth in 2015 when only a seven-year-old. Thunder And Roses beat last year’s winner Rule The World in the 2015 Irish National and is a thorough stayer but didn’t handle the big obstacles very well when pulled up on a previous visit.
The Last Samuri (IRE) 10-3fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place after 12th, ridden before 13th, remote 4th 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Definitly Red (11-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
More Of That (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, struggling after 3 out, effort on outside 2 out, never threatened, stayed on same pace, 6th of 13, 9 3/4l behind Sizing John (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gd in Mar.
Shantou Flyer (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, outpaced 13th, plugged on into poor 2nd run-in, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 15l behind Cue Card (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Feb.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Jumped well made virtually all, shaken up and came clear before 2 out, went right last, stayed on strongly, won at Exeter 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb beating Whats Happening (10-13) by 5l, 12 ran.
Saphir Du Rheu (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Held up in touch on outside, lost a bit of ground on leaders 6th, closed 13th, 4th 2 out, no impression, stayed on same pace, 5th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Sizing John (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gd in Mar.
Roi Des Francs (FR) 6-5fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, led from 9th and made rest, ridden before 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Down Royal 3m 2f Yielding in Mar beating Sizing Coal (11-0) by 7l, 5 ran.
Wounded Warrior (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Soon chased leaders, slightly slow in jumping at times, slight mistake 3rd, reminders 6th, moderate 4th next, not fluent 12th, moderate 3rd approaching 5 out, no extra from next and pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) hvy in Feb.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Held up behind, headway into mid-division after 10th, outpaced after 3 out, ridden next, rallied on outside last, stayed on to press winner inside final 100 yards, just held, 2nd of 23, nk behind Pacha Du Polder (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gd in Mar.
Tenor Nivernais (FR) 4-6fav (11-4) Led, headed before 4 out, ridden before next, outpaced before 2 out, plugged on to take 2nd place run-in, no impression, 2nd of 5, 21l behind Seldom Inn (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f lst (1) hvy in Mar.
Blaklion 7-2fav (11-12) Prominent, challenged 4 out, every chance from 3 out, kept on and held last 50 yards, 2nd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Vieux Lion Rouge (11-6) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Drop Out Joe 20-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, 2nd from 15th, led 4 out, stayed on, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jun beating Ballynagour (11-0) by 2l, 19 ran.
Le Mercurey (FR) 2-1 (11-3) With leader, led before 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 3rd of 5, 30l behind Seldom Inn (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f lst (1) hvy in Mar.
The Young Master 25-1 (11-7) In touch on inside, outpaced 3 out, no impression before next, 6th of 23, 21 1/4l behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Cause Of Causes (USA) 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, chased leaders 5 out, led between last 2, clear last, ridden out flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) gs in Mar beating Bless The Wings (11-4) by 9l, 16 ran.
Regal Encore (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Towards rear, mistake 1st, hampered next, pushed along 8th, well behind 11th, pulled up after, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 8-1 (11-6) In touch, chased leaders from 15th, led before 3 out, soon pressed, kept on and held on well towards finish, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) gs in Feb beating Blaklion (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
Definitly Red (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenged after 5 out, led 4 out, clear next, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar beating The Last Samuri (11-12) by 14l, 7 ran.
Ucello Conti (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, pushed along after 2 out and 3rd before last, no extra run-in, 4th of 18, 15 1/2l behind Abolitionist (11-1) at Naas 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Double Shuffle (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Raced wide, chased leaders, left 2nd and hampered 9th, l every chance when blundered 3 out, recovered to challenge last, went 2nd run-in, stayed on, always held, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Pilgrims Bay (10-2) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Prominent, mistake 18th, beaten 2 out, plugged on flat, took 4th close home, 4th of 20, 9 1/4l behind Chase The Spud (10-12) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Pleasant Company (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) In rear, progress 13th, moderate 5th approaching 5 out, soon 4th, 3rd before 3 out, chased leader into straight, ridden to challenge run-in, led and stayed on best closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) hvy in Feb beating Thunder And Roses (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
One For Arthur (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, hampered 2nd, headway 18th, led when jumped left 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan beating Goodtoknow (10-10) by 6l, 20 ran.
Ballynagour (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Slow 1st, always behind, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
O'Faolains Boy (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, weakened after 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Highland Lodge (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Prominent, led before 4th, headed 8th, led 17th, 3 lengths clear elbow, headed close home, 2nd of 22, shd behind Vieux Lion Rouge (10-9) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Bishops Road (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway before 6 out, ridden before 3 out, soon left 3rd, no impression, 3rd of 14, 25 1/2l behind Bristol De Mai (11-2) at Haydock 3m hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Lord Windermere (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Towards rear, slightly slow in jumping early, slight mistake 4th, not fluent 7th, headway 10th to chase leaders, moderate 4th approaching 5 out, soon 5th and weakened, 5th of 9, dist behind Pleasant Company (11-0) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f (1) hvy in Feb.
Saint Are (FR) 7-2fav (11-12) Led, headed before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on to take 2nd place near finish, just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Killala Quay (10-9) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Vicente (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Towards rear, weakened from 5 out, 9th of 13, dist behind Vieux Lion Rouge (11-6) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Just A Par (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Towards rear, only 5th and plenty to do jumping 4 out, headway chasing leading trio next, closing in 3rd place approaching last, ridden to lead run-in, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar beating No Duffer (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Measureofmydreams (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 9th and 10th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, beaten when badly hampered after next, 13th of 23, dist behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Raz De Maree (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Prominent, on terms from 3rd, led 7th, joined approaching 3 out, headed between last 2, no impression and kept on same pace from before last, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Diamond Cauchois (11-11) at Thurles 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Stellar Notion (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Prominent, close up and on terms from 7th, mistake 4 out, led before 2 out, pushed along approaching straight, soon joined, led again from last, kept on run-in, headed near line, 2nd of 18, nk behind A Toi Phil (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Rogue Angel (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and no impression in 4th when mistake 2 out, no extra, 5th of 18, 20 3/4l behind Champagne West (11-7) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Cocktails At Dawn 33-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Thunder And Roses (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Prominent and led after 5th, hampered by loose horse after 11th, headed approaching 2 out, no extra before last, 6th of 18, 19 1/4l behind Abolitionist (11-1) at Naas 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Gas Line Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led, headed before 3 out, no extra and lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 13, 24 3/4l behind Vieux Lion Rouge (11-6) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) gs in Feb.
Goodtoknow 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 14th, soon weakened pulled up before 5 out, tailed off, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) gs in Feb.
La Vaticane (FR) 50-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Doctor Harper (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) In touch, dropped to mid-division 4th, ridden and outpaced bypassing omitted 3 out, never able to challenge, 7th of 24, 13l behind Domesday Book (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
