mid-division, lost place 7th, soon behind
in touch, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, mistake 6th, weakened 9th
soon with leader, led 3 out, ridden when headed and hit 2 out, weakened last
held up, mistake 3rd, headway 7th, led 2 out, clear last
held up, ridden after 7th, soon weakened
behind, ridden after 9th, headway 2 out, hung left approaching last, kept on flat
mid-division, effort when hit 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat
mistakes, mid-division, lost place 6th, tailed off when fell 2 out
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened last
Jodante could be the answer to this tricky race with Executive Decision and Jericho III among the more likelier opposition to the selection. Peter Beaumont's horse is hardly the most prolific of winners but he is a genuine enough individual who appreciates today's surface and more importantly, is off a light racing weight. He can atone for a recent Doncaster near-miss on this occasion. Jericho III has been rejuvenated by Richard Guest. He had no chance in the Grand Annual Chase and this is more his level. Executive Decision beat fellow infrequent scorer, Super Nomad in a poor contest by Sandown standards. His win record does not reflect his relative consistency. Chergan has been well beaten in two hunter chases while Soeur Fontenail could be dangerous if given another uncontested lead. A fair spectacle for the first prize and Jodante looks to have all the ticks in the right boxes.
Tacolino (FR) 14-1 Held up in touch, hit 7th, lost place approaching 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Run For Paddy at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd, 10 ran.
Super Nomad 11-2 Held up in 4th, closed from 8th to track leaders 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, headed last, kept on under pressure run-in, held near finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Executive Decision at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs.
Jericho III (FR) 66-1 Led 2nd to 9th, mistake 10th, soon weakened, 17th of 24, well behind Fota Island at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd.
Jarro (FR) 9-2 Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4th, closed after 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 21l behind Executive Decision at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs.
Old Marsh (IRE) 8-1 Held up in touch, headway to chase leader approaching 3 out, led last , headed and one pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Polar Scout at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd.
Galway Breeze (IRE) 12-1 Chased leaders, lost place 6th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, 7th of 9, 16l behind Mighty Fine at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs.
Executive Decision (IRE) 7-1 Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, led last, driven run-in, held on near finish, won at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs beating Super Nomad by 1l, 7 ran.
Jodante (IRE) 5-2fav Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden approaching next, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Alcopop at Doncaster 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
Chergan (IRE) 20-1 Chased leaders, outpaced from 6 out, 4th of 10, well behind Star Jack at Ayr 2m 5f hts chs (H) gs.
Young Chevalier 5-1 Led to 8th, weakening when pecked 3 out, behind when fell 2 out in race won by Ghadames at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
Soeur Fontenail (FR) 4-1 Made all, mistake 8th (water), about 2 lengths clear at last, tired run-in, held on near finish, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs beating Spring Margot by 1/2l, 5 ran.
