led to 3rd, remained close up until pushed along approaching 10th, lost place 5 out, pulled up after next
close up, led 3rd, hit 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra flat
held up in rear, struggling from 10th, tailed off from 3 out, pulled up before last
held up, hit 12th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, hit 8th, chased leaders 4 out, every chance last until held near finish
held up, headway approaching 10th, stayed on from 2 out
held up, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before last
in touch, tracked leaders 5th, pushed along approaching 11th, soon struggling
tracked leaders, hit 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, led last, held on towards finish
VOY POR USTEDES reversed Cheltenham running with Master Minded when successful in this event 12 months ago but Alan King's gelding missed a clash in the Champion Chase this year finding just Imperial Commander too good in the Ryanair Chase and he can resume winning ways today, getting the vote ahead of Tidal Bay. Howard Johnson's gelding has a bit to find with the selection on running at Cheltenham but his form is solid, especially here, and he has to be strongly considered. Nicky Henderson's Petit Robin was outclassed behind Master Minded when third in the Queen Mother but lost no caste in defeat that day and he has claims but is not certain to appreciate the longer trip. Tom George's Nacarat looks to be going the right way but this is a lot tougher than the handicaps that he has been running in. Schindlers Hunt belied market odds when a close third behind Imperial Commander and the selection in the Ryanair and he has to be considered. However, we take Voy Por Ustedes to win the race again.
Briareus 16-1 (11-10) Led until after 1st, chased leader, took narrow lead 4 out, headed when pace quickened 3 out, stumbled 2 out, 4th and weakening when fell last, in a race won by Master Minded (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
Nacarat (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leader, led after 11th, made rest clear before 3 out, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Feb beating Possol (10-9) by 9l, 20 ran.
Natal (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened 12th, soon in rear, no chance when blundered 2 out, 11th of 15, 44l behind New Little Bric (10-2) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Feb.
Newmill (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, headway 8th, outpaced from 3 out, kept on from last and went 4th flat, 4th of 12, 11l behind Master Minded (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Petit Robin (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Prominent 1st, chased leaders, blundered 5th, quickened to take narrow lead 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, outpaced by winner when not fluent last, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Master Minded (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Schindlers Hunt (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 13th, challenged 3 out until 2 out, held by winner approaching last, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Imperial Commander (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Scotsirish (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th and soon chasing leaders, outpaced 3 out, stayed on approaching last, no impression when hampered at fence, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 16l behind Master Minded (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Takeroc (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when mistake last, 7th of 9, 31l behind Ashkazar (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) In touch until lost place 8th, struggling and lot to do under pressure 4 out, ran on approaching last, went 4th near finish, 4th of 9, 7l behind Imperial Commander (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 4-5fav (11-10) Close up, disputing close 2nd when blundered 4 out, every chance briefly 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on final 100 yards to regain 2nd, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Imperial Commander (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
Exotic Dancer (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Held up well off pace, hit 1st, 9th and 11th, smooth headway after 17th, ridden after 3 out, went 3rd when hit next, stayed on, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Mar.
