chased leaders, in 3rd when fell 13th (beechers)
led after 3rd, ridden and under presssure elbow, all out
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, blundered and unseated rider 11th
towards rear, fell 3rd
behind, hampered 4th, blundered 13th, tailed off when jumped slow and unseated rider 15th
chased leaders, chased winner from 13th (beechers), ridden to challenge elbow, no extra towards finish
behind, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
held up, headway 17th (valentines), weakened approaching 2 out
prominent when fell 4th
chased leaders, ridden and weakened from 2 out
behind, mistake 5th, blundered and unseated rider 6th
led until headed after 3rd, blundered next, lost place 11th, fell 13th (beechers)
held up, steady headway 14th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, pecked 8th, outpaced when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
held up behind, headway 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, no impression
behind, hampered 11th, headway 13th (beechers), one pace from 2 out
mid-division when fell 1st
with leaders, in 4th when unseated rider 6th
prominent when fell 12th
Leading Man can land this Beachers Chase at the expense of Bewleys Berry and Mr Pointment. The selection won off a mark of 125 last season and is now only five pounds higher. Jumping is his forte and with the yard in such fantastic form he looks the type of horse to win a valuable contest like this. Bewleys Berry was a faller in the Grand National last season. He has heaps of ability but has not won since landing a novice chase at Wetherby two years ago. Fitness is also not guaranteed so he is one to treat with caution. Mr Pointment could be a more trustworthy type. He looks an improver and although his only win over fences was at Bangor last season he looks well handicapped here. But for the winner we return to Leading Man.
Iron Man (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Led until not fluent 1st, chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 9, 8l behind Harris Bay (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp chs (2) gf.
Mr Pointment (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 2 out, switched right last, one pace flat, 4th of 9, 3l behind Ardaghey (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Oct.
Royal Auclair (FR) 7-1 (11-8) In rear, closer before 5th, hampered by loose horse and lost ground after 27th, tried to close after 3 out, no impression, 4th of 14, 8l behind Spot Thedifference (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) gf.
Kandjar d'Allier (FR) 100-1 (10-8) Mid-division, fell 8th (Canal Turn) fell at the 9th in race won by Silver Birch (10-6) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Garvivonnian (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, weakened from 6 out, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Mattock Ranger (11-1) at Cork 3m 4f hcp chs 0-145 gd.
Bewleys Berry (IRE) 22-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led 18th, fell 22nd (Becher's) fell at the 23th in race won by Silver Birch (10-6) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Ballycassidy (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leader until weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd, 13 ran.
Tommy Spar 40-1 (11-9) Towards rear, mistake and unseated rider at the 10th in race won by Tom Sayers (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
King Killone (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden 13th, weakened 4 out, 7th of 16, 22l behind Naunton Brook (11-7) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Le Duc (FR) 9-4fav (10-10) Towards rear, took closer order before 5th, close up 4th when mistake, swerved left and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Spot Thedifference (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) gf, 14 ran.
Briery Fox (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Mid-division, mistake 12th, headway 15th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 6l behind Harris Bay (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp chs (2) gf.
Dunbrody Millar (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led to 7th, lost place 13th, weakened 16th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Abragante (10-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd, 8 ran.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased winner from 4th to 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 16, 25l behind Naunton Brook (11-7) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Led, headed approaching 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Souffleur (11-2) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Oct.
A New Story (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, driven along 5 out, 8th 3 out, headway into 3rd next, 2nd after last, stayed on well, just failed, 2nd of 12, hd behind Ardalan (10-8) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl gd.
Pak Jack (FR) 9-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway 12th, every chance 2 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Iron Man (11-6) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in May.
Leading Man (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, pushed along 14th, soon outpaced, kept on one pace from 2 out, 6th of 16, 21l behind Naunton Brook (11-7) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Silver Jack (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, left in lead 4 out, headed flat, faded, 4th of 9, 13l behind Ballycassidy (11-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Aka Jake (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd 6 out, ridden to go 2nd before 3 out, challenged before last, stayed on well run-in, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Mattock Ranger (11-1) at Cork 3m 4f hcp chs 0-145 gd.
