tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, hit 3 out, no impression on winner from 2 out, stayed on
prominent, led 8th, not fluent 9th or 15th, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, easily
prominent, led before 2nd, not fluent and headed 8th, ridden after 12th, lost place 14th, well beaten after next, tailed off
led until before 2nd, tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, outpaced after next, well held 5th 2 out, went 4th last, plugged on, no impression
held up in touch towards rear, jumped slowly 4th, closed before 12th, soon pressing winner, lost 2nd after 4 out, beaten 2 out, weakened last
held up in touch in rear, closed 14th, outpaced 3 out, went 3rd before last, plugged on, no impression
Having initially struggled over fences, including when only third to Many Clouds at Carlisle in November, Holywell has now won three on the spin. He had a bit in hand when winning a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham but may need more here against O'FAOLAINS BOY. Rebecca Curtis' stayer beat Many Clouds in the Reynoldstown at Ascot in February and showed that was no fluke by catching Smad Place in the shadows of the post in the RSA Chase at The Festival. Just A Par was well beaten in that race but Don Cossack was still in touch when falling on the second circuit, bringing down Many Clouds. Gordon Elliott's charge could make it interesting with a clear round but Wonderful Charm weakened quickly on his only previous try over 3m.
Don Cossack (GER) 11-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pecked 9th, fell 14th, in a race won by O'Faolains Boy (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
Holywell (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 12th, headway to challenge after 3 out, ridden to lead flat, kept on, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar beating Ma Filleule (10-13) by 1 3/4l, 23 ran.
Just A Par (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Towards rear of mid-division, headway 15th, ridden and effort on outside after 3 out, one pace next, ridden and weakened flat, 7th of 15, 19l behind O'Faolains Boy (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Many Clouds (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Towards rear, hampered 12th, under pressure when badly hampered and brought down 14th, in a race won by O'Faolains Boy (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
O'Faolains Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Niggled along at times in mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leading pair next, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure to lead narrowly final 50 yards, won at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar beating Smad Place (11-4) by nk, 15 ran.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Mid-division, hampered 4 out, driven next, stayed on to press for 4th flat, no impression with leaders, 5th of 12, 9l behind Taquin Du Seuil (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
