took keen hold, held up last, went 3rd before 10th, went 2nd next, hit 12th, left in lead 4 out, blundered next, headed and weakened quickly before 2 out, blundered last
led, keen and set slow pace, blundered and unseated rider 4 out
chased leader, lost 2nd before 10th, dropped to last, left 3rd 4 out, mistake next, rallied to lead before 2 out, clear before last, easily
raced on inside, tracked leading pair, blundered and nearly unseated rider 8th, went 2nd before 10th, not fluent and lost 2nd next, left 2nd again 4 out, led briefly after next, chased winner, held before hit last
Nonrunner
DOUBLE MEAD won this by a distance last year and arrives in good shape to complete the double having followed his fourth victory between the flags with a very good effort in a similar race to this at Ludlow. William Butler has a long absence to overcome but has won six times over regulation fences and should be fit enough after a spell of hunting. It's a very long time since Officier De Reserve showed any form and the remaining pair are very moderate.
William Butler (IRE) 11-8fav (10-9) Held up in rear, hit 4th, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, every chance last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Carrick Oscar (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f sell (5) gf in Aug '10.
Caged Tiger 8-1 (12-0) Trckd ldrs; led 15 til hdd 2 out; no ex flat, 3rd of 9, 1l behind I'm The Article (12-0) at Milborne St Andrew 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Officier De Reserve (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, mistake 8th, blundered 13th, son weakened, went remote 4th before last, never dangerous, 4th of 8, well behind Unowatimeen (11-5) at Haydock 3m hts chs (3) hvy in Feb.
Dusshera (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leading pair until before 6th, stayed close 4th, ridden and no impression after 11th, left modest 3rd 2 out, kept on from last to press for 2nd, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Start Royal (12-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd in Feb.
Double Mead 3-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, chased leaders before 7th, with leader 11th, chased winner before 4 out, kept on and always held, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Divine Intavention (12-1) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (6) gd.
