held up, brought down 7th
mid-division, ridden and headway 16th, outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
soon prominent, weakened 14th
led to 2nd, with leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, headway 14th, led on bit approaching 2 out, clear last, ran on
in touch, slightly hampered 13th, weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led 2nd to 4th, led again approaching 6th, hit 13th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up, fell 7th
behind, effort after 15th, soon weakened
in touch, reminders approaching 11th, weakened approaching 16th
in touch, hit and lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 19th
jumped right, with leaders, led 4th to approaching 6th, lost place 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
prominent, lost place 3rd, behind when hampered 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 18th
Joaaci is likely to start favourite in our big race of the day and we shall back him to give weight and a beating to Dead-Eye Dick and Eurotrek. Joaaci has been talked about in some circles as being a live outsider for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In an open year, he has to have a chance but he has been a good recruit from the Irish pointing scene and David Johnson will have had this race in mind for him for quite some time. Dead-Eye Dick landed the Devon National in fine style. Indeed, Nick Williams performer was still on the bit when they passed the finish after a four mile battle. He can handle any surface and could be the one to pick up the pieces if others make mistakes. Eurotrek has to be respected from the Paul Nicholls camp. He was a wide margin winner at Newbury on his most recent start and although he is ten, injuries and niggles have meant that his appearances on the track have been fairly limited. Sir Rembrandt has been the subject of bullish noises from Andrew Thornton over the last couple of days. He undoubtedly has some classy form in the book but his recent efforts have been poor and his jumping has fallen to pieces when he has been put under any measure of pressure. Double Honour is probably the most exposed chaser in Britain but he still keeps on surprising the punters. He beat Artic Jack at Haydock on merit and he is bound to be given a bold sighter in front. Crystal D'Ainay reverts to chase fences. He can produce the odd sketchy leap but is off a more favourable mark than he would be if over hurdles. Joaaci is a strong recommendation on all recent evidence.
Joaaci (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, headway after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well to lead final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs beating Lord Of Illusion (11-5) by 2l, 13 ran.
Sir Rembrandt (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, took closer order 17th, ridden when fell 5 out in race won by L'aventure (10-4) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
Double Honour (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Driven throughout, chased leader, led and mistake 2nd, headed 3rd, led 9th to 11th, led again approaching 2 out, all out, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Dec beating Artic Jack (10-10) by a hd, 8 ran.
Crystal d'Ainay (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 12th, weakened 16th, 4th of 18, well behind L'aventure (10-4) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec.
Eurotrek (IRE) 9-2co-fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 17th, in command after 3 out, clear 2 out, eased flat, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Dec beating Spring Grove (11-8) by 25l, 8 ran.
Shardam (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Behind mistake 1st, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by L'aventure (10-4) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
Control Man (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Short of room, hampered and unseated rider in race won by L'aventure (10-4) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
Dead-Eyed Dick (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Always travelling well, held up behind, headway to track leaders 15th, led 4 out, stayed on strongly, comfortably, won at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec beating Toulouse-Lautrec (11-12) by 9l, 10 ran.
Glen Warrior 12-1 (11-10) In rear when fell at the 11th in race won by Kerry Lads (11-6) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 9 ran.
Artic Jack (FR) 10-3fav (10-10) Mistake 1st, lost a few places, reminder after 13th, headway to lead after 14th, headed approaching 2 out, rallied towards finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Double Honour (11-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Dec.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Always behind, 6th of 10, 33l behind Lord Brock (11-2) at Haydock 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Granit d'Estruval (FR) 40-1 (10-0) Prominent until weakened 4 out, 6th of 18, well behind L'aventure (10-4) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec.
Kittenkat 18-1 (10-1) Prominent until 11th, soon outpaced, not a danger after, 5th of 10, 33l behind Reflected Glory (11-6) at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Dec.
