in touch, struggling 10th, behind from 12th, pulled up before 4 out
made most, hit 8th, blundered badly 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, weakened
held up behind, lost touch after 4 out, stayed on approaching last, finished well, behind tired horses
mid-division, headway 9th, went 2nd 12th, hit 15th, led soon after 2 out, stormed clear from last, readily
chasing leaders when stumbled very badly and lost place 9th, never recovered, pulled up before 4 out
hit 10th, always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 14th
held up, hit 3rd, headway after 4 out, ridden after 3 out, chased winner approaching last, soon no chance
mid-division, hit 3rd, mistake 10th, ridden after 12th, not fluent next, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
prominent, led 5th until next, mistake 10th, jumped right from next, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up flat
not always fluent in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, held from next, rallied to regain 3rd flat
chasing leaders when fell 8th
in touch, ridden after 15th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, nudged along 11th, ridden in 4th after 15th, weakened 2 out
fell 2nd
The decision of Ruby Walsh to take the ride on COOLDINE, instead of a seat on What A Friend for Paul Nicholls seems significant while Gone To Lunch would also seem a lively threat. Cooldine claimed a grade one novice event in fine style last time out in Ireland which was preceded by a decent showing back at the top level after a break. The form from his fourth place behind Blazing Bailey last April might yet prove strong and with Walsh showing preference for this runner he must feel this has an excellent chance. The Sir Alex Ferguson part-owned What A Friend is actually rated two pounds better than the selection and on these level terms looks well set. Already a winner at Cheltenham when readily taking a grade two in December we know he likes the track but will have to be right at the top of his game for his toughest assignment by far. Gone To Lunch has been in fine form this season and has won three decent races on the bounce without really being tested. The form lines from most of those is yet to prove the strength of those contests but he has enough to challenge in this top company. Carruthers has form to overturn on What a Friend while Massini's Maguire while not good enough to score has good place claims but to win it we side with Cooldine.
Ballyfitz 4-1 (11-7) Chased winner, hit 13th and ridden, blundered next, lost 2nd 15th, soon struggling in 3rd, left distance 2nd last, 2nd of 4, well behind Carruthers (11-0) at Ascot 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Carruthers 7-4 (11-0) Jumped well apart from slight mistake 4th, in command soon after 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Ballyfitz (11-7) by a distance, 4 ran.
Casey Jones (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway to 5th 5 out, 4th next, ridden into 3rd entering straight, stayed on to challenge last, kept on well run-in to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grd 1 sft in Dec beating Trafford Lad (11-10) by 1/2l.
Cooldine (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-10) Prominent, led 1st, headed briefly before 3 out, challenged before last where narrowly headed, rallied well to regain lead run-in, ran on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs Grd 1 hvy in Feb beating Forpadydeplasterer (11-10) by.
Gone To Lunch (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Mostly jumped well, disputed lead, slight lead 6th to 8th, led and definite advantage from 10th, made rest, clear between last 2, eased run-in, won at Newbury 3m Grad Ch (2) gs in Dec beating Mr Pointment (11-7) by 17l, 5 ran.
Hold Em (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Towards rear when fell at the 11th in race won by New Little Bric (10-2) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Feb, 15 ran.
Horner Woods (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, 3rd 4 out, ridden before straight, stayed on to challenge 2 out where mistake, led before last, kept on well under pressure, won at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Feb beating Turtle Time Lucky (11-1.
Killyglen (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 8th, drew clear approaching 3 out, hit next, easily, won at Ayr 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Chief Dan George (10-12) by 38l, 4 ran.
Lightning Strike (GER) 8-13fav (11-5) Led to 2nd, led again after 4th, jumped slowly next, clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gd in Feb beating Backbord (11-4) by 5l, 5 ran.
Lodge Lane (IRE) 8-11fav (11-4) Not fluent, held up, mistake 1st, hit 3rd, nudged along from 10th, went left and hit 11th, badly hampered 12th, weakened approaching 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Or Jaune (10-12) at Kempton 3m nov chs (3) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Massini's Maguire (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 7th, blundered and headed 5 out, ridden 3 out, rallied flat, just failed, 2nd of 5, shd behind Herecomesthetruth (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Jan.
Siegemaster (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) Chased leaders, mistakes 5th, 6th and 9th, headway in 3rd entering straight, left lead 3 out, mistake 2 out, ridden clear before last, kept on, won at Navan 3m nov chs Grd 2 hvy in Feb beating Equus Maximus (11-3) by 6l, 8 ran.
The Market Man (NZ) 2-1 (11-7) Close up, left 2nd at 12th, blundered badly 14th, not recover, 4th of 6, 42l behind Breedsbreeze (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec.
What A Friend 15-8 (11-6) Held up behind leaders, went 3rd after 14th, joined leaders 2 out, quickened to lead when pecked last, readily, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gs in Dec beating Ballyfitz (11-9) by 7l, 5 ran.
Bohemian Lass (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd 3 out, no extra approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, lost 3rd run-in, 4th of 9, 27l behind Moskova (10-11) at Thurles 2m 4f mrs nov chs hvy in Jan.
