held up towards rear, headway tracking leaders approaching 11th, led 2 out, headed last, kept on run-in, always held
mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders 7th, modest 4th before 3 out, dropped to 5th close home
behind when went left 1st, stumbled badly and pulled up after next
chased leaders, lost place before 8th, soon behind, tailed off when went badly left 13th, pulled up before next
chased leader until 10th, chased leaders, tailed off and pulled up approaching 3 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, pushed along and struggling in 6th after 4 out, weakened
mid-division, headway tracking leaders 7th, 2nd 10th, led next, narrowly headed after 4 out, chased leader, ridden to lead again 3 out until 2 out, led again last, kept on run-in
chased leaders, mistake and pecked 10th, pushed along and one pace in 4th before 3 out, one pace, lost two places close home
led until 11th, chased leader until 13th, chased leaders, weakened after 4 out
mistake 1st, mid-division, reminders 9th, weakened after next, tailed off and pulled up before 11th
chased leaders, went 2nd 13th, led after 4 out until 3 out, ridden and one pace in 3rd before 2 out
towards rear, making headway when mistake and unseated rider 11th
raced wide in mid-division, lost place and towards rear after 10th, plugged on from 2 out, went modest 4th towards finish, never threatened
towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 12th
Nonrunner
A cracking start to the UK hunter chase season as several of these have good recent form between the flags. Victor Leudorum justified favouritism in a handicap at Stratford in August and Grandioso was in good form under Rules in the spring. Foynes Island, who wears blinkers for the first time, has the form to figure and will strip fitter for an outing last month but Lord Ben has done most of his racing over shorter trips. Colbert Station is looking a bit long in the the tooth but the mare Popaway is respected as she rarely runs a bad race. MON PARRAIN runs in his first hunter chase and has been off the track since April but placed efforts at Cheltenham and Ascot last season suggest he’s the one to beat in this grade.
Grandioso (IRE) 11-10fav (12-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, upsides 2 out, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 1f (6) gs in May beating Joker Choker (12-0) by 3l, 8 ran.
Mon Parrain (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Prominent in chasing group, chased leaders 14th, 2nd 3 out, kept on same from next, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Forgotten Gold (11-2) at Ascot 3m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Tugboat (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) A bhnd; t.o & pu 12, at Barbury Racecourse 3m gd in Dec.
Victor Leudorum (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Tracked leader to 12th, outpaced by front pair before 4 out, rallied to lead before last, clear flat, kept on well, won at Stratford 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Standing Ovation (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Lilbitluso (IRE) 4-6fav (12-7) Led to 3 & aft 14 til hdd aft 2 out; ev ch when fell last, at Larkhill 3m gd in Dec.
Our Chief (IRE) 6-4fav (11-11) (tt) opened 4s; prom; led 13 til hdd & wknd qckly 3 out; pu nxt, at Barbury Racecourse 3m gd in Dec.
Bound For Glory (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) (bl) hdwy 5; led 14; rdly, won at Cottenham 3m gf in Nov beating Sharp Suit (11-0) by 5l, 5 ran.
Barel Of Laughs (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) (cp) (tt) prom til wknd app 2 out; lft 2nd last, 2nd of 10, 17l behind Real Milan (12-0) at Larkhill 3m gd in Dec.
Colbert Station (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, slightly slow 2nd, 5th from 6th, jumped right 5 out and bumped rival, closed 3 out, disputed 4th 2 out, weakened, 7th of 13, 37 1/4l behind Empresario (10-9) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Foynes Island (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) (cp) trckd ldrs; hrd rdn app 2 out; nt qckn, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Temple Grandin (12-7) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m gd in Dec.
Hazy Tom (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) (5a) hdwy 6; wknd app 2 out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Sharp Suit (11-0) at Cottenham 3m gf in Dec.
Lord Ben (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Prominent, led after 2nd, headed approaching and mistake 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Quite By Chance (11-1) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Oct.
Real Milan (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) (cp) (5a) a.p; led aft 2 out; lft clr last, won at Larkhill 3m gd in Dec beating Barel Of Laughs (12-0) by 17l, 10 ran.
Richmond (FR) 50-1 (12-4) In touch on outside, dropped to mid-division 10th, weakening when mistake 17th, tailed off 3 out, 7th of 12, dist behind Pearlysteps (12-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (3) gd in Apr.
Popaway 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 2nd between last two, every chance last, stayed on run-in but always held, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Penmore Mill (11-13) at Stratford 2m 7f (3) gd in May.
Ambitious Pursuit (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) (cp) in tch til wknd 15, 2nd of 3, 20l behind King Of Alcatraz (11-0) at Wadebridge 3m gs in Dec.
