tracked leaders, hit 5th, lost place 7th, headway after 2 out, went 3rd last, no impression
led to 4th, led again 5th, headed 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, fell last
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, no impression after 2 out
held up towards rear, fell 8th
held up towards rear, headway on inner approaching 6th, chased winner after 5 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 5th, chased winner 2 out, ridden approaching last, no impression
prominent, hit 4 out, soon lost place, no impression from 2 out
held up in rear, struggling from 4th, blundered next, soon detached, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 6th, hampered 8th, never dangerous
led 4th, headed next, regained lead 6th, clear after 2 out, stayed on well, eased towards finish
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
An open renewal where narrow preference is for BERGO ahead of Bedlam Boy, Osana and Tataniano. Gary Moore's runner bypassed Cheltenham and that may pay dividends as he looks for compensation as a fresh horse here today. He jumps well, has no problem with the ground and looks up to defying this better grade. French Opera ran a blinder when second to Pigeon Island at Cheltenham and has run fairly well here before over hurdles, Green Belt Elite is progressing well and deserves this step up in grade, whilst Bedlam Boy has always been highly-thought-of and is another who missed Cheltenham with a view to winning here instead. Archie Boy should be spot on after a recent pipe-opener over hurdles, Joe Jo Star has some solid runs over fences to his name bar falling last time, whilst Noble Alan impressed with his jumping at Ayr last time and will relish this ground. Osana ran a cracker to be third to Sizing Europe in the Arkle but had a hard race there so is passed over, along with Tataniano who was embarrassed by Suntini at Newbury when last seen but rates an obvious player on his previous form over fences. See You Bob's run behind Citizen Vic looks solid form, as does his beating of Kempes, and he is not passed over lightly, however we are happy to side with the progressive Bergo.
Archie Boy (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Disputed early, 2nd from 3rd, challenged 3 out, ridden in close 2nd 2 out, no extra approaching last, lost 2nd run-in, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 5l behind Slievecorragh (11-6) at Naas 2m hdl in Mar.
Bedlam Boy (IRE) 4-9fav (11-6) Tracked leader, hit 7th, joined leader 3 out, ridden after last, led narrowly flat, asserted clear final 50 yards, won at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (2) sft in Mar beating Silk Drum (11-3) by 5l, 5 ran.
Bergo (GER) 3-10fav (11-8) Made all, clear approaching 4 out, eased flat, won at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (3) gd in Mar beating Danehill Willy (11-8) by 18l, 3 ran.
Joe Jo Star 8-1 (10-12) Left tracking leading pair from 1st, in touch when fell 8th, in a race won by Tchico Polos (11-8) at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) gd in Mar, 5 ran.
Noble Alan (GER) 1-6fav (11-12) Keen in touch, led 4th, unchallenged after, eased flat, comfortably, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Mar beating El Bandindos (11-5) by 6l, 5 ran.
Osana (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 3rd 3 out, driven to chase winner between last 2, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Sizing Europe (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Overclear 13-2 (11-5) Disputing lead after 4th, 2nd before 10th, well beaten in 5th flat, last of 5, 14l behind Take The Breeze (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) hvy in Dec.
Schelm (GER) 16-1 (11-12) In rear, trailing from 4th, kept on at same pace from 3 out, 4th of 6, 25l behind Citizen Vic (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs sft in Feb.
See U Bob (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, took closer order when slight mistake 3 out, improved into 2nd after 2 out, challenged last, every chance early run-in, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Citizen Vic (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs sft in Feb.
Tataniano (FR) 2-11fav (11-8) Tended to jump right, led, hit 2nd, went right 6th, hit 4 out, ridden and joined last, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 3, 1/2l behind Suntini (11-4) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
French Opera 10-1 (11-5) In touch, led after 10th, ridden after 2 out, edged right after last, headed 150 yards out, stayed on, 2nd of 19, 1 1/4l behind Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Green Belt Elite (FR) Evensfav (11-5) Made all, clear from 3 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m nov chs (2) hvy in Feb beating Franchoek (10-10) by 16l, 3 ran.
