chased leader, hit 3rd and 4th, reminder 5th, ridden 6th, weakened next
made all, ridden after 3 out, quickened approaching 2 out, kept on gamely flat, readily
prominent, chased leader 6th, ridden 3 out, close 3rd when jumped awkwardly last, kept on same pace
held up last, headway after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, hung right flat
prominent, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, stayed on one pace
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, kept on, not reached winner
towards rear, reminder 6th, ridden and lost touch next
Nonrunner
HILLS OF ARAN races from a ten pound higher mark than for his last win but should still take victory here ahead of Numide and Warsaw Pact. The selection ran a brave race in defeat at Huntingdon last time and is enjoying a fine season. Numide has been enjoying a profitable campaign and while disappointing on the face of it in the Imperial Cup last time, he was making ground when hampered two out. Warsaw Pact has won his last two races but races from a career-high mark here. This strong-travelling sort could defy it but this is his toughest test. Tamarinbleu switches back to hurdles but is proving rather unreliable of late and the safest proposition looks to be Hills Of Aran.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Led, headed and driven along 13th, chased winner to after 3 out, soon struggling in 3rd, 3rd of 4, 26l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) hvy in Feb.
Hills Of Aran 13-2 (11-7) Led, reminder after 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Hernando Royal (9-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd.
Harper Valley (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, soon ridden, no further impression, 12th of 27, 23l behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gs.
Numide (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Hit 5th, always behind, 12th of 19, 38l behind Dave's Dream (10-13) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gd.
Warsaw Pact (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Held up, headway 4 out, led 3 out, kept on well flat, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Nov beating Terenzium (10-8) by nk, 15 ran.
Font 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on, 4th of 23, 18l behind Andytown (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs.
Beechwood 16-1 (11-7) Chased clear leader, led approaching 6th, ridden, headed after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 8, 7l behind A Bit Of Fun (11-6) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Swordsman (GER) 150-1 (10-0) Chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, 25th of 27, well behind Ninetieth Minute (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl G3 (1) gs.
