not keen, tried to refuse 1st, always in rear, soon tailed off
always behind, tailed off when pulled up approaching 4 out
chased leaders, hit 6th, driven along 11th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
mistakes in mid-division, hit 7th, headway and hit 11th, hit 13th, stayed on approaching 2 out, kept on well run-in, went 2nd on post, not reach winner
in touch in chasing group, ridden approaching 13th, steadily weakened
led and soon nicely clear, ridden and headed 2 out, chased winner but no impression last, lost 2nd on post
mid-division, pushed along 12th, soon behind, tailed off
always in rear, tailed off
chased leader, every chance 2 out, chased winner last, no extra run-in
chased leaders, mistake 8th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, drew clear last, all out
jumped poorly in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
prominent early, lost place after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
mistakes and never going well in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
not fluent, mid-division, hampered bend after 6th, struggling from 11th, tailed off
in touch, hampered and unseated rider after 11th
Nonrunner
We're going to play it safe here and select Sandown faller Oakfield Legend to atone. L'Alsacien, Rare Gold and McEvoy are three others worthy of a second glance. The selection used to spoil his chance by racing too keenly but connections appear to have taught him to settle better and have been reaping the dividends. His recent form has been over three miles and beyond but his style of racing suggests that this trip could turn out to be his optimum and he looks capable of taking higher order. L'Alsacien disappointed when gambled on for his chase bow but that was on heavy ground and he must be monitored in the market as should Arthur Moore's Mon Oiseau. Things haven't gone right for Rare Gold since his first season under Rules and he has plenty to prove but he hasn't many miles on the clock and a comeback couldn't be ruled out with his yard enjoying such a fine season. McEvoy disappointed last time but looked good when beating Stan in January whilst Celtic Son is thrown in on his old form if his new connections can rekindle his enthusiasm. Several others in the field are open to improvement and this has an open look to it but Oakfield Legend should give us a run for our money.
Celtic Son (FR) 100-1 (10-9) Always in rear, hampered 9th, mistake 10th, behind from 13th, 11th of 24, well behind High Chimes (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Ryders Storm (USA) 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 12th, weakened 3 out, 2nd of 5, 23l behind Tikram (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Feb.
Mcevoy (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 16th, ridden after 19th, went badly right and weakened next, tailed off when fell 3 out in race won by Himalayan Trail (9-9) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Jaunty Times 12-1 (10-13) Towards rear, mistakes, some progress after 12th, beaten 3 out and pulled up at the last in race won by High Chimes (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Kilrogan (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led to 11th, led 4 out, ridden 3 out, pushed out from last, won at Wincanton 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Tosula (9-9) by 1l, 8 ran.
Oakfield Legend 2-1fav (10-11) Led, soon clear, 12 lengths ahead and in command when fell 2 out in race won by Mokum (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb, 8 ran.
Lidjo De Rouge (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, soon edged right, 4th of 6, 33l behind Ice Bucket (10-11) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Mar.
Champagne Harry 28-1 (10-4) Always in rear, 8th of 9, 45l behind Hills Of Aran (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Umbrella Man (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 13th, ridden after 16th, weakened 19th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Mokum (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb, 8 ran.
Busy Isit 6-1 (11-6) With leader, narrow lead 12th, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar beating No Complaint (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Kew Jumper (IRE) 3-1co-fav (11-1) Close up, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Nemetan (10-6) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Mon Oiseau (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd before 3 out and no extra, slow 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Well Run (11-6) at Downpatrick 3m 4f hcp chs 0-123 gd in Feb.
Present Oriented (USA) 40-1 (10-11) Led, hit and headed 3rd, remained prominent, weakened before 8th, soon tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Templer (11-3) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Witness Run (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 11th, chased clear pair from 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Busy Isit (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
L'Alsacien (FR) 13-8jt-fav (11-0) Led and hung right throughout, headed 10th, weakened next, 4th of 6, 34l behind Gaora Lane (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f mdn chs (5) hvy in Mar.
Rare Gold (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up behind, ridden and headway after 6th, led approaching 2 out, headed when not fluent last, no extra, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Lordsbridge (10-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Ice Bucket (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Keen early, led 2nd, hung right after last, driven out, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Mar beating BallyGalley Bob (10-13) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
