in touch, hampered 3rd, struggling 4 out, soon weakened, well behind when mistake 3 out
mid-division, hit 8th, still going well before 3 out, no real headway, eased from 2 out
held up in rear, mistake and reminders 7th, well behind 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, well behind when mistake 3 out
mid-division, hampered 3rd, headway on outer approaching 3 out, close 3rd and going well when stumbled 2 out, ridden before last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, hampered on bend before 4th, mistake 3 out, driven when stumbled 2 out, weakened approaching last
always prominent, hit 4th,led 7th to 8th, led when hit 3 out, driven flat, just held on
in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 2nd, squeezed along from 4 out, headway after 2 out, kept on flat, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, every chance 3 out, weakened under pressure from 2 out
in touch, not fluent 4th, handy next, one pace and beaten before last
held up towards rear, mistake 9th, travelling well after 3 out, headway and switched right after 2 out, chased winner soon after last, ran on well, not quite get there
led to 7th, led 8th, hit 9th, headed 3 out, still every chance approaching last, faded flat
in rear, ridden and struggling to keep up 4th, slow jump next, soon pulled up
in touch, hampered 3rd, ridden 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 7th, mistake 8th and pushed along, headway approaching 2 out, not pace of front 2 final 100 yards
mid-division, raced keenly, not fluent 1st, headway when squeezed out after 8th, 3rd after 2 out, hit last, not much room on landing, faded flat
chased leader 1st, fell 3rd
Calgary Bay must be of interest given the return to Cheltenham where he was so impressive on New Years' Day, however TATENEN has been touted for this race for 18 months and he is taken to provide Paul Nicholls with his first success in this race since Azertyuiop in 2003. There is no doubting that the selection was bitterly disappointing when last seen at Leopardstown. To lose to Follow The Plan receiving 11lbs was certainly not the plan but he might be better judged on his win over the course and distance back in November. He jumped impeccably then and he looks sure to run on strongly up the hill; the rain has come and he looks poised to run a big race. Tartak and Planet Of Sound are two live outsiders; each has shown plenty of ability over further in Novice Chases this season and neither can be discounted. More popular in the betting is Kalahari King but it is hard to see why. Admittedly he was fourth in last-year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle but he has beaten trees over fences this season and has a lot more to prove in this. I'msingingtheblues holds the former on a form line through Doctor David, and he also beat Calgary Bay in December, but so far his improved recent runs have come on flat tracks and his previous form at Cheltenham over hurdles looks modest (has won a novice race here but apart from Snap Tie, it didn't look great form). Golden Silver is not to be overlooked as his beating of Forpaddydeplasterer reads well, and that rival reopposes. Staying looks to be more his forte which might suit him best today. Calgary Bay is a much better horse going left-handed and this imposing individual has AP McCoy onboard once again, however his trainer has always voiced concerns over whether this is the right trip and as a result he is passed over. This looks more competitive than last year, and the feeling is that Tatenen can reward his trainers' faith.
Bringbackthebiff (NZ) 3-1fav (11-12) Led and clear, slightly reduced lead straight, kept on well under pressure when pressed run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chs hvy in Feb beating Captain Conflict (11-12) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Calgary Bay (IRE) 13-8 (11-7) Tracked leader, ridden 2 out, led briefly, edged left under pressure from last, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Panjo Bere (11-4) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Cheating Chance (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 7th, ridden and weakened from 4 out, 5th of 8, 43l behind Planet of Sound (11-4) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Cool Operator 10-1 (11-4) Held up, mistake 5th, not fluent 7th, held from 8th, 4th of 6, 39l behind Panjo Bere (11-4) at Ascot 2m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Cornas (NZ) 15-2 (10-12) Held up last, headway to chase leading pair after 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Gauvain (10-12) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Follow The Plan (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, 3rd approaching 6th, ridden 2 out, soon no extra, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Golden Silver (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grd 1 hvy in Jan.
Forpadydeplasterer (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd entering straight, challenged before last where narrow lead, headed run-in and no extra close home, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Cooldine (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs Grd 1 hvy in Feb.
Gauvain (GER) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leader, hit 3rd, jumped slowly next, hard ridden to challenge soon after 2 out, almost upsides last, driven ahead towards finish, won at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb beating Cornas (10-12) by a nk, 5 ran.
Golden Silver (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Prominent, led after 2nd, close 2nd after 3rd, joined leader 3 out and soon narrow lead, ridden last, strongly pressed and joined run-in, all out, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grd 1 hvy in Jan beating Forpadydeplasterer (11-12) by a.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 9-2co-fav (11-0) Prominent, led 4 out, under pressure last, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan beating Doctor David (10-11) by 3l, 10 ran.
Kalahari King (FR) 4-5fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, smooth headway to track leader approaching 4 out, every chance next, ridden and led 2 out, quickened under pressure flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Feb beating Astarador (11-4) by 2l, 6 ran.
Made In Taipan (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Made all, ridden 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Navan 2m nov chs Grd 2 hvy in Feb beating Hotel Hilamar (11-4) by 5l, 9 ran.
Original (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Tracked leading pair 7th, went 2nd next until outpaced well before 3 out, rallied and driven to lead 2 out, soon clear and kept on strongly, won at Kempton 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec beating French Opera (11-2) by 9l, 6 ran.
Panjo Bere (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leading trio, hit 3rd, not fluent 6th, pushed along after 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 5, 11l behind Gauvain (10-12) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Planet of Sound 6-4fav (11-4) Chased leader, led 7th, mistake 3 out, in command before last, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Jan beating French Opera (10-12) by 4l, 8 ran.
Tartak (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leaders in 4th, tracked leading pair 9th, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, soon forged clear, pushed out flat, won at Kempton 2m 4f Grad Ch (2) gs in Feb beating Oceanos des Obeaux (11-7) by 15l, 7 ran.
Tatenen (FR) 4-6fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, 2nd from 5th, narrow leader from 2 out, soon joined, stayed on well under pressure run-in, just headed on line, 2nd of 7, shd behind Follow The Plan (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grd 1 sft in Dec.
I'm So Lucky 9-2co-fav (10-10) Chased leaders, led 6th, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 10l behind I'msingingtheblues (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
