held up towards rear, headway on outer after 10th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra from last, lost 2 places
mid-division, hit 2nd, headway 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led until 8th, gradually weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up behind, stayed on past beaten horses from 2 out, never nearer
always behind
held up behind, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from last
mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 5th
chased leader, led 8th until next, prominent when blundered 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders until 8th, not fluent next, ridden when mistake 3 out, weakened
in touch, hit 3rd, not fluent 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway after 10th, ridden and effort after 3 out, one pace from next
mid-division, mistake 4th, saddle slipped and pulled up before next
chased leaders, led 9th, mistake 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway after 11th, led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well
mid-division, hit 1st and 2nd, ridden when hit 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, one pace from next
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
My Petra has crept into this contest at the foot of the weights and appears to hold excellent claims. Experienced campaigners Hasty Prince, Tiger Cry and Almaydan make the short-list whilst Andreas should make a bold bid to retain his crown. The selection is one of the few unexposed horses in the field and she has a great racing weight having only gone up by 3lbs for finishing second to Noland at Sandown on her latest start. She showed useful form over hurdles, winning three times but was short of top class as her midfield finish in the Triumph testifies. That experience will be to her advantage and she looks to be progressing with racing as a chaser with her latest performance her best to date. Her trainer always puts together a strong team for this contest and jockey bookings point to her being his best chance. Andreas has 11lbs more than when winning this last year; he comes here a fresh horse but the weight is likely to put paid to his chances. Hasty Prince was his nearest pursuer 12 months ago and could well reverse the form as he comes into the race just 1lb higher; a fast run 2 miles is essential to his chances and he makes plenty of each-way appeal. Almaydan is consistent and is another that could make the frame but it would be a little surprising to see him land the major prize, a comment that also applies to Tiger Cry. He races from the same mark as when second to Greenhope in 2006 and caught the eye last time but he hasn't won since 2005 and is consequently difficult to recommend. My Petra should be tough enough to cope with the rigours of this contest and Nicky Henderson's mare gets our vote.
Andreas (FR) 7-2fav (11-12) Held up in touch, lost place 7th, headway when hit 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 22l behind Howle Hill (11-4) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Feb.
Howle Hill (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, hard ridden and not fluent 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 9, 39l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Feb.
Lord Henry (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Made all, mistake 5th, clear after 3 out, unchallenged, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb beating Tramantano (11-10) by 20l, 6 ran.
Vintage Treasure (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 4th after 3 out, no extra before 2 out, kept on same pace, left 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Maralan (11-10) at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 gs in Feb.
Maralan (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 3 out, improved to lead 2 out, ridden and headed before last, challenging when left in lead last, kept on well, won at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 gs in Feb beating Benefit Night (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Calatagan (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up, hit 4th, headway approaching 4 out, staying on on same pace when fell 2 out in race won by Howle Hill (11-4) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
Saintsaire (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Prominent, challenged 7th, led approaching 4 out, soon headed and beaten, 4th of 6, 28l behind Wanango (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Mister Quasimodo 8-1 (11-7) Made most, headed 12th, led approaching 3 out, kept on strongly, won at Kempton 2m 4f Grad Ch (2) gs in Feb beating Possol (10-11) by 5l, 6 ran.
Greenhope (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost place approaching 3 out, 14th of 17, well behind Salut Saint Cloud (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Enlightenment (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 5th, headed 9th, left in lead after 4 out, clear last, won at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gd in Dec beating Presenting Copper (10-6) by 5l, 7 ran.
Hasty Prince 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, hit 6th, headway approaching 4 out, not much room 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace approaching last, 5th of 11, 6l behind Howle Hill (11-4) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Feb.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Held up, hit 4th, headway approaching 6th, ridden and mistake 2 out, one pace last, 4th of 11, 6l behind Howle Hill (11-4) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Feb.
Almaydan 6-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led 8th until 10th, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed last, not quicken, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Vinmix De Bessy (10-2) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Feb.
Tiger Cry (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, kept on without threatening under pressure straight, 6th of 24, 13l behind Take Your Mark (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gs in Feb.
Magic Sky (FR) 9-2 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, effort approaching last, edged right and kept on flat, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Marcel (10-1) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd.
My Petra 13-2 (10-9) Led until 7th, stayed with winner, ridden after 3 out, left close 2nd next, kept on, always held from last, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Noland (11-3) at Sandown 2m nov chs (2) gd in Feb.
Tramantano 11-2 (11-10) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway when mistake 9th, stayed on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 20l behind Lord Henry (11-12) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Crozan (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Led, hit and headed 4 out, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 35l behind O'Toole (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Dec.
Gwanako (FR) 4-6fav (11-1) Patiently ridden in last, headway and mistake 12th, 3rd and outpaced next, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Mister Quasimodo (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f Grad Ch (2) gs in Feb.
