in touch, mistake and unseated rider 5th
mid-division, behind from 15th
chased leaders, blundered 4th, led 11th, not fluent next, ridden and headed 3 out, pecked next, weakened approaching last
prominent, blundered 4 out and lost place, rallied under pressure after 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, one pace flat, not trouble leaders
in touch, blundered and unseated rider 7th
mid-division, steady headway 15th, went second travelling well after 2 out, ridden to lead final 75 yards, kept on
behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next
prominent until 7th, mistake 10th, behind when pulled up before 12th
held up in touch, hit 6th, headway 15th, ridden 3 out, weakened after next
always prominent, led briefly 2nd, not fluent 3 out, ridden approaching next, kept on same pace
behind, brief effort 14th, weakened 16th
led, headed briefly 2nd, blundered 10th, headed next, ridden 3 out, no extra from next
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway 6th, hit 4 out, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on flat, headed final 75 yards
held up in touch, headway 15th, led and hit 3 out, ridden and headed next, no extra approaching last
towards rear, behind and mistake 15th, not fluent 3 out, ridden and headway after 2 out, stayed on well flat, never near leaders
As ever, this looks ultra-competitive, with entries from Martin Pipe, Henrietta Knight and Jonjo O'Neill. The stats reveal that, despite being the top Festival trainer with 28 winners, Pipe is actually a trainer to avoid in this race, as he has drawn a blank so far. This year Pipe relies on Royal Auclair and Iznogoud, rather than You're Agoodun and iris Bleu who both looked to have better claims. Henrietta Knight is three-handed, with Foly Pleasant, Southern Star and Maximise. The first named could probably go round here blindfolded, having had six of his last seven outings at Prestbury Park, including when second in the Pillar Property Chase last time, proving that he stays this trip in the process. The Irish traditionally fail to make their presence felt in the winner's enclosure in this race so it is hard to get enthusiastic about the likes of Foxchapel King and Youlneverwalkalone. Indeed, the latter has yet to score in five previous attempts round Cheltenham. Ad Hoc is having his prep race for the Martell Cognac Grand National and has been campaigned over hurdles. With an absence to overcome and the trip on the short side nowadays, he is overlooked as well. Joss Naylor is very much on the upgrade, having posted three consecutive victories en-route, at Uttoxeter, Bangor, and more recently in class B company here where he got the better of Tarxien. Those of you with good memories will remember Joss Naylor finishing second to Ilnamar in last year's Coral Cup, so he obviously likes the place, and was thought good enough to hold an entry in the Royal & Sun Alliance Chase as well. Providing the ground does not dry out too much, making conditions fast, Jonjo O'Neill's charge, named after the famous Northern fell climber, can put his name in the record books as well, as he makes more appeal than stablemate Carbury Cross, despite the fact that last year's runner-up is well-weighted.
