chased leaders, hit 8th, gradually faded from 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 19th
held up behind, steady progress from 19th, went 3rd approaching 2 out, ridden to dispute 2nd when hampered last, faded
mid-division, mistake 5th, weakened 17th, tailed off and pulled up after 19th
held up towards rear, headway after 5th, tracked leaders 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, struggling in 6th when fell 2 out
held up towards rear, blundered 4 out, smooth headway next, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, went left and stumbled last, no extr
mistakes, always in rear, tailed off
tracked leader, led 18th until after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
mid-division, ridden after 19th, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, stumbled badly 2 out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden after 11th, weakened 16th, tailed off and pulled up before 20th
mid-division, headway 11th, chased winner after 4 out until next, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, hampered on bend approaching 6th, behind 9th, mistakes 12th and 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, mistake 19th, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, pecked 13th, mistake 16th, soon struggling, weakened after 4 out
led until 18th, weakened quickly approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 10th, still in chasing group when fell 3 out
chased leaders until 8th, weakening when mistake 11th, tailed off and pulled up after 17th
held up towards rear, steady progress from 12th, mistake 17th, led after 4 out, stayed on strongly from last, ridden out
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, headway after 2 out, stayed on well approaching last, went 3rd towards finish, nearest finish
chased leaders, mistakes 5th, 8th, 13th and 16th, fell next
Nonrunner
The performance of NICHE MARKET in the Levy Board Chase means that one is of slight preference ahead of Can't Buy Time and Coe while Fair Point could represent the each-way value. It's probably true that the form from the Levy Board chase will prove a little misleading this week but it does read in favour of the selection who beat the useful Joe Lively. His penultimate effort was eye-catching beating a decent field at Ascot and although Cheltenham hasn't been his track in the past a repeat effort should have him close. Can't Buy Time has been performing well in similar races and was an impressive winner last time at Sandown. He's won four from five starts this term but is yet to take on this trip, however he ran on well during that last success to suggest he should get it. Coe hails from the in-form Sue Smith yard and wasn't disgraced finding one too good last time out when trying to follow-up on unsuitable ground in a top race. There's no issue with stamina for this one who has been competitive in better company. Charlie Mann has had his string in fine fettle for some time and sends out Fair Point who has been running well in weaker races but his run in a similar assignment in December points to the fact he could grab some prize money but to win it we side with Niche Market.
Borero (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 10th, ridden to lead 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, rallied last, led flat, stayed on strongly, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb beating Wild Ground (10-10) by 6l, 12 ran.
Can't Buy Time (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Held up and always going well, headway 4 out, led on bit last, ran on, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan beating Eric's Charm (10-10) by 6l, 9 ran.
Carnival Town 14-1 (9-12) Mid-division, hampered 13th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the 15th in race won by Rambling Minster (11-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb, 16 ran.
Coe (IRE) 9-2fav (10-6) Held up, headway approaching 13th, chased winner approaching 3 out, hung left and hit 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Rambling Minster (11-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb.
Drumconvis (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Mid-division, moderate 6th halfway, no impression after 3 out, moderate 7th entering straight, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 22l behind Rock Street (11-9) at Clonmel 2m 1f chs sft in Feb.
Fair Point (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-0) With leader, led 10th, headed approaching 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on gamely flat, won at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb beating Oscatello (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Forest Leaves (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led from 8 out, left clear 5 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on well under pressure, won at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp chs hvy in Feb beating Tawnies (9-11) by 8l, 19 ran.
Hennessy (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders until lost place 8th, hit 10th, mistake next, weakened 13th, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Ping Pong Sivola (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (2) hvy in Jan.
Itsa Legend 11-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, reminders 4th, hit 6th, pushed along next, weakened from 13th, in 5th when blundered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Best Actor (10-12) at Southwell 3m nov chs (3) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
Kornati Kid 3-1 (11-4) In touch, not fluent 6th, headway to challenge 3 out, stayed on to lead soon after last, ridden and edged right flat, just held on, won at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan beating Will Be Done (11-7) by a nk, 5 ran.
Le Beau Bai (FR) 10-1 (11-5) In touch, lost place 14th, mistake 16th, rallied after 3 out, led flat, driven out, won at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb beating Keenan's Future (10-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
Niche Market (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden 10th, lost place 12th, well beaten when blundered 4 out, 4th of 7, well behind Madison Du Berlais (11-6) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Nuvelli (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway to 5th before 4 out, 6th and slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no extra before straight, hampered 3 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Siegemaster (11-3) at Navan 3m nov chs Grd 2 hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Pangbourne (FR) 15-2 (11-1) Jumped sketchily early and jumped right, led, narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging, outpaced by winner flat, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Millenium Royal (11-8) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb.
Parsons Pistol (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to moderate 2nd 5 out, closed entering straight, improved to lead 2 out, ridden and kept on well under pressure from last, won at Naas 3m nov chs Grd 2 sft in Jan beating Good Fella (11-5) by 19l, 10 ra.
Radetsky March (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led after 5th, headed 11th, weakened 14th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Best Actor (10-12) at Southwell 3m nov chs (3) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
Tricky Trickster (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, every chance when hit 3 out, soon ridden, well held from next, 2nd of 10, 16l behind Ping Pong Sivola (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (2) hvy in Jan.
Nine De Sivola (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 2nd, headed 4th, led again approaching 6th, headed 8th, weakened 6 out, last of 4, well behind Killyglen (11-4) at Ayr 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
Tank Top 11-1 (10-9) Led, headed 14th, led again 6 out, headed approaching 3 out, no extra before last, 4th of 19, 11l behind Jass (10-9) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) 15-8 (11-7) Held up behind leading pair, nudged along after 13th, went 2nd after 4 out, switched right after 3 out, went left next, switched right again approaching last, shaken up to lead flat, won at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Dec beating Panca.
