held up, blundered 9th and lost place, eased run-in
prominent, mistake 4 out, ridden after 3 out, led after last, driven out
tracked leaders and keen, led 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after next
with leaders, ridden and lost place 3 out, pulled up before next
held up, hit 3 out, ridden approaching next, no impression
led to 2nd, tracked leader, outpaced 9th, ridden and blundered 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed after last, stayed on
The three for the shortlist in the novices, chase are Accordion Etoile, Hoo La Baloo and Voy Por Ustedes with a slight preference for the Paul Nicholls-trained Hoo La Baloo. The selection was two-and-a-half lengths behind Voy Por Ustedes at Wincanton in February and he is now 6lbs better off at the weights. He has since won at Sandown in a decent novice chase and he is our selection here. Voy Por Ustedes won the Arkle last month and he has obvious chances on this form. He beat Monet's Garden by one-and-a-quarter lengths that day and had Foreman seven lengths back in third. He holds Forman on that form but may find Hoo La Baloo too good for him at these weights. The main danger to our selection is Accordion Etoile. Paul Nolan's seven-year-old was the best of these over hurdles and fell when going well in the Arkle. He had previously won a novice chase at Cheltenham and a reproduction of that form will see him go close here but at potentially better odds, Hoo La Baloo looks better value.
Accordion Etoile (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up, headway when fell 5 out in race won by Voy Por Ustedes (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Foreman (GER) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Green Tango 6-1 (11-4) Held up and mistakes, hampered 3rd, ridden and headway 3 out, one pace flat, 7th of 23, 7l behind Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Cerium (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 10th of 14, 30l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 4-11fav (11-5) Keen hold early, settled 3rd, closed going well approaching 3 out, quickened to lead before 2 out, soon in command, driven right out, won at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) sft in Mar beating Muhtenbar (11-0) by 8l, 4 ran.
Le Volfoni (FR) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 8l behind McBain (11-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 15-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden to lead after 2 out, hit last, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar beating Monet's Garden (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
