raced in 4th place, hampered 4th, chased winner 11th, no chance approaching 2 out
left chasing winner 4th, lost 2nd 11th, stayed in 3rd, one pace and no chance after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened from 13th, poor 4th when pulled up approaching 2 out
made all, ridden and in command approaching 2 out, soon drew well clear, unchallenged
mistake 1st, always detached in rear, left poor 4th 2 out, tailed off
held up in 5th place, hampered 4th, outpaced 12th, no chance when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
tracking winner when fell 4th
Nonrunner
Bell Rock justified favouritism in good style and earns the vote. A visor may help bring about an improved performance from Soleil Fix whilst Keltic Rock and Mr Postman could take a hand. Alan Hill does well with his runners in this sphere and he has had this Charmer gelding in good form between the flags in recent seasons. In James Tudor, he has one of the most talented pilots in the race and he seems sure to be in the mix. Soleil Fix won a novice hurdle for Nick Gifford back in 2005 but has had his problems since and hasn't threatened to challenge in two starts in Hunter Chases this year. The visor will need to have a positive effect if he's going to trouble the principals. Keltic Lord has plenty of experience and merits respect whilst Mr Postman has to enter calculations having won with his head in his chest at Garnons and has youth on his side but for the winner we'll return to Bell Rock.
Howard Howard 28-1 (11-13) Chased leaders until ridden and lost touch 11th, tailed off, 4th of 8, 49l behind Le Passing (11-13) at Leicester 2m 7f hts chs (3) gd in Mar.
Bell Rock 4-5fav (11-0) Led 6; rdn out, won at Cottenham 3m ptp gf in Mar beating Leatherback (11-0) by 11l, 5 ran.
Keltic Lord 7-1 (11-9) Chased leader, lost place 7th, badly hampered and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Feeling Better (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hts chs (5) gs in Mar, 6 ran.
Lord Nellerie (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Keen, led 2nd until 6th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Pettifour (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb, 18 ran.
Mr Postman 7-2 (12-0) Made most, quickened clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Garnons 2m 4f ptp gs in Mar beating Monty's Moon (12-0) by 12l, 4 ran.
Shareef (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Keen, blundered 1st and rider lost irons, tracked leaders until lost place 6th, bit slipped and pulled up at the 8th in race won by Jurado Express (11-3) at Kempton 2m 4f hts chs (4) gs in Mar, 8 ran.
Star Double (ITY) 5-1 (11-7) Led, hit 3 out, soon headed, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Flashy Sir (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov hts chs (5) gd in Mar.
Soleil Fix (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Held up, mistake 5th, headway 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Why Connie (11-11) at Stratford 2m 7f nov hts chs (5) gs in Mar.
