mid-division, not fluent 2nd, left 3rd after 10th, losing place when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
led, mistake 9th, soon headed, eased and pulled up before 11th
chased leader, not fluent 8th, led after 9th, pecked 11th, not fluent 4 out, driven after 2 out, headed last, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd close home
held up in last, not fluent 12th, went 4th when not fluent 2 out, no impression on leaders
held up in mid-division on inside, headway and switched left before 3 out, switched right and went 2nd 2 out, edged right before leading last, stayed on well, driven out
chased leaders, went 2nd after 10th, not fluent 12th, mistake 3 out, lost 2nd and not fluent 2 out, close 3rd when mistake last and lost momentum, stayed on, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner
held up towards rear on outside, slow 7th and 8th, headway 9th, ridden after 4 out, lost place next, weakened before 2 out
Hitman, who had little more than an exercise canter at Newbury last time, has form at the highest level but not many five-year-olds have won this. Fusil Raffles chased home stablemate Chantry House in the Marsh Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham and Eldorado Allen picked up the pieces behind Shishkin in the Arkle but neither of those races have been good guides to this in recent years. Protektorat has come up short since upped in grade while Phoenix Way appears to have plenty to find and Umbrigado and THE SHUNTER step up from handicap company. The latter, however, has been transformed by the switch to Emmet Mullins and is a strong traveller who finds plenty when the chips are down. This is his toughest task to date but he could pass it with flying colours in his current mood.
Eldorado Allen (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Held up off the pace in 4th, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, rallied and stayed on well run-in went 2nd final 50 yards, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Shishkin (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Fusil Raffles (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Led until after 7th, chased leader, led again before 2 out, headed before not fluent and pecked last, held by winner flat, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Chantry House (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Hitman (FR) 1-7fav (11-3) Mostly jumped well, led and soon clear, steadied pace 11th, reduced lead when hit 4 out, good jump to go clear again next, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 4f (3) gd in Mar beating Captain Cuckoo (10-12) by 9 1/2l, 3 ran.
Phoenix Way (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, mistake 4th and 5th, dropped to rear 3 out (usual 4 out) and began to struggle, weakened and pulled up 2 out, at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Protektorat (FR) 1-2fav (11-8) Jumped right, made most until 10th, struggling when mistake 4 out, landed awkwardly and well beaten from 3 out, 2nd of 3, dist behind Empire Steel (11-4) at Kelso 2m 7f (3) sft in Feb.
The Shunter (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Led until 2nd, raced very handily after and travelled strongly, led before 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar beating Farclas (11-4) by 3l, 21 ran.
Umbrigado (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, good headway chasing leaders 9th, only 4th and plenty to do when left in lead at elbow on run-in, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Mar beating Killer Clown (10-11) by 1l, 14 ran.
