mistake and hampered 2nd, behind when bad mistake 3rd, pulled up before 6th
held up, slightly hampered 2nd, not fluent 7th, headway 10th, hit 12th, hampered next, close 4th when blundered badly 2 out, mistake last, no extra flat
prominent, led 11th, headed before next, mistake 14th, every chance when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division on outside, hit 11th, reminders soon after, headway 12th, weakened approaching last
badly hampered and unseated rider 2nd
tracking leaders when hampered and fell 2nd
tracked leaders, jumped right 2nd, hit 13th, led after 2 out, jumped right and headed last, stayed on
held up, mistake 8th, headway 10th, close up when mistake 15th, stayed on flat
mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway after 3rd, led approaching 12th, ridden and headed after 2 out, led again last, held on
prominent, hit 5th, led approaching 8th, headed 11th, lost place when hit 3 out, soon weakened
in touch in mid-division, closed 4th, lost place approaching 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
hampered 2nd, behind after until pulled up before 13th
held up in rear, closed after 4 out, chasing leaders approaching last, went 2nd flat, stayed on, held by winner
led until approaching 8th, ridden and lost place 10th, blundered and unseated rider next
held up, behind 10th, pulled up before 12th
BENSALEM had looked very unfortunate in last year's Spinal Research Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and made amends with a classy performance in the race last month. The form has been given a massive boost by the effort of runner-up Carole's Legacy in the Totesport Bowl on Thursday and though 9lb higher Alan King's charge can complete a famous double. Great Endeavour, who had led for a long way in that Festival event before coming down at the second last, will be well suited by this much sharper track and will make a bold bid to make all while third-placed Reve De Sivola must get closer on the revised terms. Useful hurdler Tarablaze hasn't had much experience over fences which could prove his downfall while Hey Big Spender's last two runs have been subject to jumping errors and he can't afford mistakes here.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, mistake 8th, effort when hit 13th, soon no impression, well beaten after 3 out, 9th of 11, 31l behind Albertas Run (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Bensalem (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, steady headway 13th, tracked leaders 4 out, went 2nd after next, led narrowly on outside approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure when hard pressed flat, held on near finish, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar beating Carole's Legacy (11-5) by 1/2l, 19 ran.
Rare Bob (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) In touch, led 3rd until headed and pulled up quickly after 11th, in a race won by Bensalem (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar, 19 ran.
Great Endeavour (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Soon in touch, went 2nd at 9th, led 11th, ridden after 3 out, soon under pressure, headed narrowly and still every chance when fell next, in a race won by Bensalem (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar, 19 ran.
Take The Breeze (FR) 11-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, struggling when hit 12th, no chance when fell last, in a race won by Fine Parchment (10-4) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Crescent Island (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Behind, mistake 1st, headway under pressure 4 out, hard driven next, kept on under pressure, never on terms, 5th of 16, 48l behind Quinz (11-0) at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Feb.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 9-1 (10-13) In touch, hampered 3rd, left 2nd after 11th, mistake and lost place 4 out, outpaced next, left clear 3rd 2 out, no impression with leading pair before last, 3rd of 19, 12l behind Bensalem (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Tarablaze (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 3rd from 9th, chased leader from 4 out, led 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Bangor 3m nov chs (4) gd in Mar beating Cool Mission (11-7) by 14l, 6 ran.
Prince De Beauchene (FR) 16-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden and stayed on same pace from 4 out, 5th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Fine Parchment (10-4) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Saphir Des Bois (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Close up, in 3rd and pushed along after 6th, mistake 10th, went poor 4th after 5 out, in 4th and held when mistake 2 out, snatched 3rd towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 7, 32l behind Nikos Extra (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Invisible Man (FR) 9-4fav (11-9) Led, ridden and under pressure before last, headed soon after, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Nikos Extra (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Silmi 9-1 (9-13) Behind, not fluent 9th, under pressure 15th, soon beaten, 12th of 13, well behind Massini's Maguire (11-3) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Categorical 11-2 (11-12) Held up in touch and keen, soon in rear, smooth headway to track leaders approaching 4 out, challenged 3 out, upsides 2 out, led last, just held on, driven out, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar beating Quiqui De L'isle (11-0) by nk, 7 ran.
Carrickmines (IRE) 40-1 (10-1) Hampered 5th, always behind, no chance when jumped right last, 10th of 19, well behind Bensalem (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Just Smudge 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost place 11th, under pressure when fell 4 out, in a race won by Holmwood Legend (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar, 20 ran.
