led, headed and blundered when unseated rider 6th
towards rear, badly hampered and unseated rider 1st
towards rear and jumped slow, soon tailed off, blundered 8th, reluctant at 10th, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, headway from 12th to go 7th, chased winner approaching 2 out until no extra from elbow
held up towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 9th
held up mid-division, hampered 1st, headway to chase leaders approaching 10th (Bechers Brook), blundered next, in touch when blundered badly and unseated rider 15th
held up mid-division on inner, hampered 6th, blundered next, weakened from 12th (Canal Turn), jumped badly right 14th, never dangerous
tracked leaders when fell 1st
prominent on outer when fell 1st
held up mid-division, struggling from 10th (Bechers Brook), behind when hampered by fallen jockey after 12th (Canal Turn) and unseated rider
held up in touch, prominent when fell 6th
held up in rear, headway on outer from 6th, went 2nd from 10th (Bechers Brook), 4th approaching 2 out, chased winner from elbow, kept on same pace
mid-division, blundered 2nd, hampered 6th, in 8th when unseated rider 12th (Canal Turn)
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 10th (Bechers Brook), weakened from 2 out
towards rear, headway approaching 7th, chased leaders 10th (Bechers Brook), pecked 14th, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, left 2nd at 6th, led 16th, ridden approaching last, stayed on well
held up mid-division, headway 14th, 6th approaching 2 out, weakened from last
always towards rear, tailed off from 10th (Bechers Brook)
mid-division, badly hampered 6th, towards rear when unseated rider 7th
tracked leaders, led 6th, headed 16th, chased leaders approaching next, weakened last
held up in touch when fell 6th
The annual fun and games for the amateur riders and HAVING A CUT can take the contest with Baby Run and Blu Teen others to enter calculations. Eddie O'Grady's charge showed signs of a return to form at Down Royal and while this is a tougher test, it is worth noting that he finished third in last year's renewal. John Thomas McNamara takes the ride. Baby Run attempts to do the Cheltenham and Aintree Foxhunters double. The trip will probably suit him better than that at Cheltenham though there has been only a short gap between the races. Blu Teen isn't an obvious one on the formbook but he won readily at Sandown and has evidently been laid out for the race. Moncadou jumped well at Fontwell though failed to shape with any conviction in last year's Topham Chase. Trust Fund won this race last year and while well beaten at Cheltenham, should be straight for that effort. Whizzaar steps up in grade following a wide margin success at Hereford. Christy Beamish won this in 2008 but proved himself to be no back number when obliging in a point-to-point at Bangor-On-Dee. Nedzer's Return is only eight years of age and would be one to note if the market speaks in his favour. Having A Cut seems the percentage call.
Baby Run (FR) 9-2fav (12-0) Made all, ridden 2 out, 5 lengths clear last, tired and wandered flat, held on, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar beating Kilty Storm (12-0) by 5l, 24 ran.
Belem Ranger (IRE) 20-1 (12-1) Mid-division, took closer order approaching 9th, ridden approaching 4 out, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd in Feb beating Bow School (11-13) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 12-1 (11-13) Led until 13th, weakened approaching 4 out, blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 2 out, tailed off, 3rd of 7, 49l behind Here's Johnny (11-9) at Exeter 3m hts chs (6) sft in Mar.
Blu Teen (FR) 8-1 (11-7) In touch, headway and left in 2nd 3 out, challenged and going well 2 out, soon led and clear, very easily, won at Sandown 2m 4f hts chs (5) sft in Feb beating Here's Johnny (11-7) by 21l, 8 ran.
Carrick Oscar (IRE) 7-2 (11-13) Behind, not fluent 9th, headway on inner 11th, led 13th, joined soon after, went left 3 out, pressed and wandered last, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd in Mar beating Loita Hills (12-5) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Christy Beamish (IRE) 4-7 (11-0) Eff 14; led 3 out; rdn out, won at Bangor-on-dee 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Petit Lord (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Having A Cut (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Held up, closer in 5th travelling well 4 out, challenged and led before 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hts chs gd in Mar beating Bonny Isle (10-6) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Island Flyer (IRE) 11-10 (12-5) Made all; kpt on wl, won at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp in Feb beating Up There (12-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
Joaaci (IRE) 4-9fav (11-9) Made virtually all, mistake 2nd, not fluent 4 out, in command last, drew clear, readily, won at Newbury 3m hts chs (6) gs in Mar beating Mr Ed (11-13) by 14l, 3 ran.
Launde (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, behind, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 21l behind Busy Isit (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Little Rocker (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 5th, outpaced approaching 4 out, went poor 3rd 2 out, blundered last, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Whizzaar (12-3) at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gs in Mar.
Moncadou (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway to lead 4th, headed after 7th, tracked leaders, joined leader and clear 3 out, jumped well to lead next, stayed on well to go clear flat, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hts chs (4) hvy in Feb beating Accumulus (11-9) by 14l, 9 ran.
Nedzer's Return (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Always prominent, 2nd 6 out, left in lead from next, edged clear 3 out, reduced advantage from next, ridden and kept on well from last, eased close home, comfortably, won at Downpatrick 2m 5f hts chs in Mar beating Donati (11-4) by 2l, 8 ran.
Penny Doc (IRE) 15-8fav (12-0) In rear, mistake 6th, headway to 2nd at 12th, ridden 3 out, led narrowly last, left clear flat, won at Fakenham 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gd in Mar beating We're Confused (11-10) by 39l, 7 ran.
Reach For The Top (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) In touch, tracked winner 9th, outpaced 3 out, lost 2nd before next, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 24, 12l behind Baby Run (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar.
Silver Adonis (IRE) 8-1 (12-1) Chased leaders, steadied off pace when pecked 4th, went modest 3rd 12th, left 2nd 4 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 33l behind Cedrus Libani (12-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gs in Mar.
Sonevafushi (FR) 1-2 (12-5) Made all; canter, won at Charm Park 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Over To Joe (12-5) by 6l, 9 ran.
Tommy Two Toes (IRE) 3-1 (12-4) Led 15 til hdd aft nxt; sn wknd, 4th of 10, 26l behind Briscoe Place (12-7) at Dalston 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Trust Fund (IRE) 15-2 (12-0) Held up towards rear, some headway when hampered 4 out, never able to challenge, 10th of 24, 41l behind Baby Run (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar.
Van Ness (IRE) 10-11fav (11-11) Keen, made all, joined 11th, clear with one other 13th, 4 lengths clear 2 out, tried flat, kept on gamely, won at Sandown 3m hts chs (4) gd in Mar beating Back Nine (12-1) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Whizzaar 5-4fav (12-3) Tracked leader, led 8th, clear when hit 3 out, easily, won at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gs in Mar beating Lady Myfanwy (11-6) by 14l, 7 ran.
