mid-division, tracked leaders 6th, outpaced in 4th after 3 out, kept on but no impression from next
towards rear, headway into mid-division 5th, tracked leaders when left 2nd 14th, poised to challenge 2 out, led after last, driven clear before elbow, ridden out, kept on
prominent to 5th, soon behind, hampered and almost unseated rider 12th (canal turn), pulled up before 15th
towards rear, headway into mid-division 5th, hampered 11th (foinavon), chased leaders 14th, 5th when fell 3 out
mistake 1st, in rear, headway into mid-division 11th (foinavon), fell next (canal turn)
mid-division, blundered 3rd (chair), hampered 11th (foinavon), soon behind, pulled up before 13th
prominent to 6th, soon behind, tailed off 10th (bechers), pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, tracked leaders 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, one pace next, soon ridden, no impression with front pair before last
mid-division, tracked leaders 5th, lost place 10th (bechers), hampered and brought down 12th (canal turn)
chased leaders, outpaced when hampered by loose horse 3 out, plugged on from next, never on terms
mid-division, outpaced when hampered by loose horse and unseated rider approaching 3 out
towards rear, mid-division 5th, hampered 11th (foinavon), lost place when hampered and unseated rider next (canal turn)
mid-division, hampered 12th (canal turn), outpaced when hampered by loose horse and unseated rider approaching 3 out
led narrowly to 3rd, in touch, outpaced in 5th after 3 out, ridden and weakened after last
in touch, outpaced in 5th after 3 out, ridden and stayed on same pace from next, never on terms
always towards rear
behind, headway into mid-division 10th (bechers), outpaced 3 out, plugged on from next, never troubled leaders
behind when hampered and unseated rider 5th
chased leaders, blundered 8th, fell 11th (foinavon)
always prominent on outside, disputed 2nd when mistake and unseated rider 13th (valentines)
chased leaders to 4th, behind when mistake 10th (bechers), no danger after
prominent, mistake and lost place 6th, hampered 11th (foinavon), mid-division when hampered and unseated rider after next (canal turn)
mid-division, fell 14th
mid-division on inside, lost place 11th (foinavon), hampered and almost unseated rider next (canal turn), pulled up before 13th
mid-division on outside, lost place and behind from 11th (foinavon), tailed off when pulled up before 15th
with leader, led 3rd (chair), driven and hard pressed 2 out, headed after last, soon ridden, kept on, no impression after elbow
towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 7th
mid-division, behind from 7th, behind when brought down 12th (canal turn)
tracked leaders on inside, left 2nd 13th (valantines), fell next
tracked leaders, fell 5th
Only twice since the turn of the century has more than 10st12lb been carried to victory in this. But one of those was last year's winner Ma Filleule and her trainer Nicky Henderson boasts a good record having saddled three of the last nine winners. He has Hunt Ball and Rajdhani Express in the line-up this year. Bennys Mist and Eastlake filled the places 12 months ago and the latter has been knocking on the door again lately while Darna thwarted a gamble on Monetaire at Cheltenham and is lightly raced, though the Pipe's French import should reverse running on better terms if handling these fences. Ruben Cotter made a winning reappearance at Kempton last month following a lengthy break but this might be too big an ask given his lack of experience while Splash Of Ginge's jumping has to be a concern. But Poole Master gave a bold display to win the Grand Sefton here in December and Annacotty can be tough to pass if getting into a rhythm. THEATRE GUIDE has been highly tried since beating Fox Appeal and Annacotty off level weights at Kempton in November. He was far from disgraced last time at Cheltenham and is now 3lb lower than when third in the Hennessy in 2013 so could be the pick of the weights.
Hunt Ball (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 9th, not fluent 4 out, soon weakened, 21st of 23, 41l behind Darna (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Rajdhani Express 12-1 (11-6) Held up in mid-division, switched left before 3 out, nudged along before 2 out, stayed on flat, never nearer, 8th of 23, 8l behind Darna (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Splash of Ginge 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place 5 out, soon outpaced, ridden after next, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 8, well behind Vautour (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Turban (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, hit 2nd, headway 4 out, weakened after next, 10th of 20, 24l behind Next Sensation (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Mar.
Annacotty (IRE) 28-1 (11-6) With leader, hit 4th, led next, headed 4 out, lost place next, soon ridden and weakened, 16th of 24, 31l behind The Druids Nephew (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Eastlake (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on strongly and went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 20, 4l behind Next Sensation (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Mar.
Poole Master 25-1 (11-12) Made most to before 4 out, soon lost place, weakened from next, 8th of 12, 33l behind Soll (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcap ch (2) gs in Feb.
Rathlin 20-1 (11-5) Held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, ridden next, 5th 2 out, went moderate 3rd at last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Felix Yonger (11-10) at Navan 2m 4f chs G2 (1) hvy in Mar.
Darna 33-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 10th, led 2 out, pressed flat, found extra and in command towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar beating Monetaire (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 23 ran.
Art Of Logistics (IRE) 6-5fav (11-3) Chased leaders, mainly 4th, slight mistake and reminders 7th, slight mistake 3 out and ridden, no impression entering straight, under pressure in 5th 2 out, kept on one pace run-in to 4th close home, 4th of 6, 13l behind Sizing Italy (10-8) at Listowel 2m 4f chs gd in Sep.
Bennys Mist (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 11th, led after 5 out, ridden after 3 out, headed final 110 yards, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Sound Investment (11-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Feb.
Monetaire (FR) 11-2fav (10-9) Slowly into stride, held up, mid-division 13th, not fluent 4 out, closed next, went 2nd soon after last, soon every chance, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 23, 1 1/4l behind Darna (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) In touch, driven 3 out, lost place next, weakened last, 11th of 24, 24l behind The Druids Nephew (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Sew On Target (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Led until 3rd, tracked leader, led again after 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 10, 13l behind Annacotty (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Jan.
Ruben Cotter (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway on outside 10th, 2nd 4 out, led before 2 out, clear between last two, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar beating Allez Vic (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Maggio (FR) 12-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, not fluent and one pace 3 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Knock A Hand (11-10) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Feb.
Bobcatbilly (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Prominent, led after 2nd, hanging left after 4 out, headed next, stayed on same pace and no impression on leaders before last, 5th of 10, 16l behind Rebel Rebellion (11-7) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Mar.
Ballygarvey (FR) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, mistake 8th, led 10th, headed after 5 out, ridden and lost place after next, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 34l behind Sound Investment (11-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Feb.
Some Tikket (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division on outer, close 8th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Foxrock (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Witness In Court (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd when fell 2nd, in a race won by Reaping The Reward (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Bless The Wings (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, still last 5 out, headway after next, chased leaders on outside 2 out, went 2nd before last, ridden and kept on flat, never able to reach winner, 2nd of 24, 12l behind The Package (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f amat hcap ch (2) gd in Mar.
Granville Island (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, went 3rd 9th, 2nd at 11th (water) until hit 4 out, chased leaders, challenging when hit 3 out, 3rd and one pace when hung right in behind winner before the last and again run-in, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Anay Turge (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Mar.
Wings Of Smoke (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up, not fluent and ridden 3 out, went 3rd when mistake 2 out, edged right and stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Bobcatbilly (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Feb.
Montoya's Son (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, led on bit next, drew clear after 2 out, pushed out, comfortably, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar beating De Vous A Moi (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Up To Something (FR) 25-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, reminders before 15th, soon weakened, behind and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by The Young Master (10-9) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Fairy Rath (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Led to 2nd, led again next, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, weakened flat, 5th of 15, 33l behind Leave It Be (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Deciding Moment (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, mistakes 12th and 17th, well beaten before 3 out, 8th of 18, 45l behind Court By Surprise (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Kings Grey (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in 4th, outpaced 2 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened, 6th of 8, 41l behind Tiptoeaway (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Festive Affair (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 20, 24l behind Next Sensation (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Mar.
Standing Ovation (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Made most to after 5 out, left in lead again next, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no impression with winner, lost place approaching last, weakened flat, 6th of 24, 24l behind The Package (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f amat hcap ch (2) gd in Mar.
