held up towards rear, headway 9th, close 3rd and ridden when fell 2 out
held up, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders until weakened approaching 4 out
towards rear, pushed along and outpaced approaching 5th, no impression when hampered 2 out
chased leader, led after 4th, headed when weakening 9th
mid-division, headway 8th to chase leaders, outpaced 4 out, one pace after
towards rear, headway 4 out, one pace
held up towards rear, fell 6th
always behind, weakened from 5th, jumped right 6th, 7th and 8th, pulled up next
held up, fell 1st
led, headed after 4th, remained close up, led again 9th, headed after 3 out, kept on one pace
towards rear, headway 8th to chase leaders, chased winner approaching last, kept on
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, driven out
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
chased leaders, led after 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon headed, weakened
Andreas normally finds little for pressure, however that all changed last time out as he scooted up the hill at Cheltenham to score well. One swallow doesn't make a summer though so we will pass him over today and side with the runner-up that day Hasty Prince, with Marshall Hall and Crossbow Creek just two others for the shortlist. In an open contest, Jonjo O'Neill's nine-year-old is five lengths better off with Andreas for that three length defeat. He looked the likeliest winner turning for home but didn't handle the hill as well as Andreas and now back on a more conventional track, could take plenty of beating. Demi Beau is not to be written off after his last run when pulled-up, but he hasn't run well on two previous visits to the track so must be opposed. As must Marshall Hall who, despite having plenty of talent, prefers plenty of juice in the ground and cannot be fancied on today's quicker ground. Crossbow Creek could be of more interest given his ability to handle the ground and his progressive profile. His jockey won on him two runs ago so he must rate a live danger. Marcel has claims but would prefer softer ground, whilst Greenhope hasn't been in the best of form but cannot be discarded lightly. All in all this looks a very open affair and Hasty Prince gets the tentative nomination.
Andreas (FR) 9-2fav (11-1) Held up towards rear, smooth headway from 7th, ridden to challenge for 2nd after 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Dempsey (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Crossbow Creek 9-4 (11-12) Held up, hit 9th and slipped soon after, ridden to go 3rd approaching 2 out, ran on strongly flat, led final 75 yards, won at Ascot 2m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gf in Oct beating Demi Beau (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Priors Dale 6-1 (11-12) Made all, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs (2) gs in Feb beating Flying Enterprise (11-2) by 4l, 4 ran.
Hasty Prince 6-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 4 out, chased winner after 3 out, kept on, not pace of winner from next, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Dempsey (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Demi Beau 7-1 (10-6) With leader, led 3rd, ridden when jumped right last, ran on gamely, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov beating Hasty Prince (10-3) by 2l, 11 ran.
Marcel (FR) 5-2fav (11-7) Prominent, led 9th until next, led approaching 2 out, kept on well, eased near finish, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb beating Gentleman Jimmy (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Jacks Craic (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 8th, chased winner from 4 out, jumped right from 2 out, weakened from last, 4th of 9, 7l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-7) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Marshall Hall (IRE) 4-7fav (11-11) In touch and raced keen early, hit 6th, led 4 out, drew clear from 2 out easily, won at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar beating Brave Thought (11-8) by 14l, 5 ran.
