held up in rear, ridden after 9th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up before 14th
tracked leader to 8th, pushed along next, weakened 12th, behind when pulled up before 15th
prominent, ridden and slightly outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace from next
held up in touch, not fluent 8th, hampered next, headway 15th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next
always prominent, ridden to chase winner and every chance 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on flat, no extra near finish
held up towards rear, losing place when mistake 14th, stayed on again approaching last, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway 5th, went 2nd 8th, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last
held up in rear, steady headway from 8th, led 2 out, soon ridden, jumped slightly right last, stayed on well
held up, mistake 3rd and 5th, ridden and not fluent 7th, never on terms
held up, ridden and some headway 14th, losing place when hit next, stayed on again from 2 out, no chance when eased flat
led to 4 out, ridden and weakened before next
Haut Cercy will be a popular choice to go one better than last year, with Marlborough, Shardam and Kelami all holding claims as well in this Grade 3 event. Henry Daly has a pretty impressive record at the Festival, with three winners from 11 runners since he took over from his mentor, the late Captain Tim Forster four years ago, and it will not be long before he adds this prestigious prize to his tally. Star Traveller came third in 2000 and Haut Cercy was only just touched off by Youlneverwalkalone 12 months ago, so will be strongly fancied to oblige. He goes well on a sound surface and lines up on the back of a pipe-opener over the course and distance when second to Kingscliff in the Tripleprint Chase, with Marlborough a further six lengths behind in third. Although now nine-pound higher in the weights than last year, Haut Cercy has had the lightest of preparations and has been well backed ante-post. Marlborough was successful in this race four years ago, and showed that he is no back number by landing the Racing Post Chase at Kempton. However, older horses have struggled here over the past few seasons and at the age of 12, the stats are against Nicky Henderson's charge who has to shoulder topweight. Shardam is an improving young sort who meets Marlborough on much better terms than at Kempton, has plenty of stamina and comes from a stable enjoying a tremendous season. Also, like half of the winners of this race since 1991, he has form at Cheltenham, another reason not to discount Nigel Twiston-Davies' seven-year-old. Martin Pipe is triple-handed, with Chicuelo, You're Agoodun and Dark Stranger, but the Nicolashayne maestro has not been able to weave his magic in this particular event, having sent out 22 runners in all, with just four reaching the frame. Fork Lightning was slightly disappointing last time but is a useful novice with course and distance form. Even so, no first-season chaser has obliged since Jomon in 1972, and he therefore faces an uphill task. Although Royal Auclair is younger, he is more battle hardened, has won twice round here, and is much better off at the weights than when ninth last year. Although yet to score over this sort of trip, he has kept on well on each of his last three outings, and should go well under Ruby Walsh. French raider Kelami is a dark horse but lacks course experience, and Skybet Chase hero Tyneandthyneagain will find this tougher. All in all, even though the last favourite to oblige was Antonin in 1994, Haut Cercy has done nothing wrong and is the selection.
