led 2nd, jumped left 8th, hit 9th, driven out
always behind, tailed off when blundered 13, soon pulled up
held up, headway 11th, weakened after 15th
in touch, mistake 12th, ridden after 15th, weakened 4 out
led to 2nd, prominent, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, went 2nd briefly 11th, weakened after next, tailed off, pulled up before last
towards rear, headway 15th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up, headway 11th, went 2nd 4 out, ridden, every chance last, not quicken
behind when mistakes 12th, 15th
An Capall Dubh gets the verdict over Chasing The Bride, Guignol du Cochet and Zola to name but three. The hunter-chase season is getting into full swing now, and the form will settle done over the next few weeks, but for the moment it is best to adopt a prudent approach, with most either reappearing after a break or switching from the point-to-point field. Fifth in the Aintree Fox Hunters' Chase last April, An Capall Dubh has not been seen since finishing third at Warwick a month later, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust, but he goes on top of the ground and is one of the classier sorts here. He was beaten by Chasing The Bride when they met here last season, but is now slightly better off with the latter who lines up on the back of an odds-on victory at Larkhill in January. Guignol du Cochet is another course-and-distance winner, and also lines up on the back of a win between the flags, at Cottenham last month. Zola will need the outing, while Magicien has been consistent but was beaten at Weston Park in January. It should then rest with the first two mentioned, with preference for An Capall Dubh.
An Capall Dubh (IRE) 11-10fav (12-5) Always prominent, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Silence Reigns (12-0) at Warwick 2m 4f hts chs (H) gf in May.
Barton Bandit 3-1 (12-0) last of 3, 31l behind Lady Baronette (11-7) at Larkhill 3m ptp gf in Jan.
Catch The Bus (IRE) 4-1 (12-3) pulled up in race won by Spuddler's Dream (12-0) at 3m ptp gd in Jan, 11 ran.
Chief Mouse 7-1 (12-0) 4th of 13, 6l behind Macy (12-0) at Upper Sapey 3m ptp gf in May.
Guignol du Cochet (FR) 7-1 (11-2) won at Cottenham 3m ptp gf in Jan beating Titus Bramble (11-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Khaladjistan (IRE) 20-1 (12-7) fell in race won by Full Minty (12-7) at Cottenham 3m ptp gf in Jan, 9 ran.
Lord of The Hill (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Led to 3rd, led 5th, mistake 7th, ridden and headed after 4 out, weakened after next, 7th of 13, 17l behind Danish Decorum (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gf in Jun.
Magicien (FR) 6-4 (11-0) 2nd of 5, 6l behind Upton Adventure (10-7) at Weston Park 3m ptp gf in Jan.
Montebank (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) 4th of 14, 35l behind Murphy's Present (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp gf in Jan.
Zola (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) won at Llanfrynach 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Wings of Hope (12-0) by a hd, 6 ran.
Chasing The Bride 1-3fav (11-0) won at Larkhill 3m ptp gf in Jan beating Barton Saint (11-0) by 12l, 2 ran.
