held up, headway when fell 8th
in touch, lost place 8th, bumped 3 out, soon weakened
jumped right 1st, always towards rear
always behind, mistake 2nd, slightly hampered 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway approaching 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on, not reach leaders
held up, hit 9th, ridden after 3 out, headway when not much room briefly bend after 2 out, one pace flat
prominent, led and hit 3rd, jumped right 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, chance when pecked last, not quicken towards finish
in touch, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 9th, bumped 3 out, soon weakened
led to 3rd, stayed prominent, ridden when mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, pushed along 7th, outpaced and hit 9th, stayed on flat
mid-division, ridden after 9th, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden to lead after 2 out, hit last, driven out
It would be a fitting result if Racing Demon could land this prize for Henrietta Knight, following the sad demise of Best Mate, but we belive Accordian Etoile may be the one to come out on top in this terrific renewal of the Arkle, Missed That and Foreman could be the pick of the remainder. Fourth in last year's Champion Hurdle, Paul Nolan's gelding has made the transition to fencing in effortless style. He finished runner up to Watson Lake before beating Tamarinbleu over course and distance. His most recent effort was in the Tied Cottage at Punchestown where he ran a blinder to finish to the much more experienced pair of Central House and Jim. He is growing in stature with every race and will take all the beating this afternoon. Racing Demon has also acquitted himself well over the larger obstacles and his trainer finally got a prep race into him when easily beating Cornish Sett at Exeter. The runner up went on to dead heat in the Vodafone Gold Cup so the form is absolutely rock solid and Racing Demon will not go down without a fight. Last year's festival bumper winner Missed That has been thrown in at the deep end this season but has passed every test with flying colours. Unbeaten in his last three races he should be involved in the finish, as should Foreman who gained an overdue success at Lingfield last time. Voy Por Ustedes has always been held in high regard and is a sound jumper. On landing the four-timer at Wincanton last time he beat the 147 rated Hoo La Baloo, which gives him an obvious chance, even in this top company. Martin Pipe's Don't Be Shy has done little wrong and could be on the upgrade, while Wild Passion and Cerium haven't quite lived up to expectations, but are two outsiders with place claims, however Accordion Etoile has proved his class and he gets the verdict.
Accordion Etoile (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Held up in rear, 4th from 5th, progress into 3rd and ridden after 3 out, 2nd after 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Central House (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Arteea (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up, progress into 3rd 3 out, challenged and led after 2 out, strongly pressed before last, headed early run-in, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Missed That (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Jan.
Coat of Honour (USA) 5-6fav (11-4) Close up, led 5th, made rest, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m beg chs (D) sft in Dec beating Show Me The River (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Crossbow Creek 11-4jt-fav (11-6) Mid-division, improved 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 8, 29l behind Sharp Rigging (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Foreman (GER) 11-8 (11-3) Held up last but in touch, close up 4 out, tracked leader 3 out, challenged next, led last, quickened clear flat, won at Lingfield 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan beating Le Volfoni (10-13) by 3l, 4 ran.
Missed That 3-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, improved into moderate 2nd after 4 out, 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, close 2nd and challenged before last, led early run-in, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Jan beating Arteea (11-12) by 3/4l.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 2-7fav (11-10) Tracked leader, joined leader 5th, led next, clear 4 out, very easily, won at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) sft in Feb beating Been Here Before (11-0) by a distance, 6 ran.
Racing Demon (IRE) 2-7fav (11-12) Chased leader, left in lead 7th, brushed wing 4 out, pushed clear from last, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Feb beating Cornish Sett (11-8) by 15l, 10 ran.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 8-15fav (11-1) Led to 1st, with leader, led and left clear 3rd, unchallenged after, won at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan beating Jacks Craic (11-1) by 14l, 10 ran.
Wild Passion (GER) 4-5fav (11-12) Close up, left in lead 2 out, headed before last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Arteea (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f nov chs sft in Jan.
Cerium (FR) 10-11fav (11-2) Chased leader, led approaching 3 out, hit 3 out, driven out from last, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs (2) gd in Feb beating Hors La Loi III (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Don't Be Shy (FR) 5-4fav (10-11) Held up last, headway to track leading pair 5th, went 2nd next, led 3 out, went last next, driven and held on well flat, won at Lingfield 2m chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Armaturk (11-6) by 2l, 4 ran.
Mid Dancer (FR) (10-8) Travelling well, led last, ridden out, won at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl gf in Dec beating Mon Milord (10-6) by 3l, 11 ran.
Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 10-11fav (11-1) Tracked leader, disputed lead 9th, led next, clear 3 out, ridden when hit 2 out, kept on well, won at Wincanton 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb beating Hoo La Baloo (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
