with leaders, pushed along and weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 8 out, ridden 2 out, kept on to chase winner towards finish, always held
led to 3rd, pushed along halfway, soon lost place, fell 7 out
towards rear, outpaced before 6 out, plugged on from 3 out, never dangerous
in rear and pushed along, weakened before 8 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, lost place halfway, pulled up
in rear, headway before 7 out, challenged 5 out, led before 3 out, kept on well from last
towards rear, headway before 8 out, every chance before 2 out, ridden before last, no extra
held up towards rear, led 3rd, headed before 3 out, in 3rd when unseated rider 3 out
Best Served Cold is the only one of these to have had a recent run under Rules and he should find this easier than when a well-beaten third behind Paint The Clouds at Doncaster. Cave Hunter boasts decent form between the flags and should be thereabouts if his jumping holds up and likewise Talkin Thomas, who did win over hurdles for Nicky Richards earlier in his career. SPORTINGFRIENDSHIP beat the useful Special Portrait in a point-to-point last month and the experienced Harry Bannister takes the reins - he would be tough to beat here with a repeat performance.
Beau Traveller 14-1 (11-7) Led until 3rd, in touch, bad mistake 12th, close 3rd when slipped before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Back On The Road (11-13) at Perth 3m hts chs (6) gd in May '13.
Best Served Cold 25-1 (11-7) In touch in 4th, went poor 3rd from 4 out, mistake next never dangerous, 3rd of 5, 36l behind Paint The Clouds (12-4) at Doncaster 3m 2f hts chs (6) gs in Feb.
Cave Hunter (IRE) 9-4 (12-5) (cp) led to 8; outpcd 15; kpt on wl 2 out; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Woodview Prince (12-5) at Jedforest 3m ptp gs in Jan.
Forge Valley 6-4 (12-0) Ap; led 15; drew clr 3 out, won at South Durham Hunt Farmers Club 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Apache Blue (12-0) by 10l, 7 ran.
Newspage (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Prom to 15, 6th of 11, 31l behind Sportingfriendship (12-5) at South Durham Hunt Farmers Club 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Slick Operator (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) (tt) held up; hdwy 13; ev ch 2 out; kpt on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Kiestown Chief (12-0) at South Wold 3m ptp sft in Feb.
Soleil D'avril (FR) 9-4 (12-0) 6th when blun & ur 8, in a race won by Empire Builder (12-0) at South Wold 3m ptp sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Sportingfriendship (IRE) 11-8 (12-5) Ap; led 4 out; ro wl, won at South Durham Hunt Farmers Club 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Special Portrait (12-0) by 3l, 11 ran.
Talkin Thomas (IRE) 10-3 (12-0) Hdwy 6; one pce 3 out, 3rd of 12, 6l behind The Magherally Man (12-5) at Midlands Area Club 3m ptp gs in Feb.
