mid-division, headway and in touch on outside 10th, lost place 15th, soon behind
made most to 11th (water), with leader, led again 14th, ridden and hard pressed after last (usual 2 out), headed narrowly flat, kept on, just held
chased leaders, dropped to mid-division 8th, reminder 14th, soon behind
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), soon weakened
mid-division, outpaced 3 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened
with leader, led narrowly 11th (water), headed narrowly 14th, every chance until ridden and lost place after last (usual 2 out), weakened flat
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last (usual 2 out)
behind, headway 14th, effort on outside approaching 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened from next
in touch on inside, outpaced 17th, ridden and weakened after 2 out (usual 3 out)
in touch when fell 1st
raced keenly, tracked leaders, in touch when fell 15th
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), soon weakened
mid-division in touch, headway 4 out (usual 5 out), ridden to chase leading pair after 2 out (usual 3 out), challenged after last (usual 2 out), stayed on to lead narrowly flat, just held on
in touch on outside, ridden 2 out (usual 3 out), kept on to take 4th flat, no impression
in touch, outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), weakened flat
always behind, lost touch and pulled up before 14th
mid-division on inside, outpaced 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened from next
mid-division, under pressure when mistake 12th, soon behind
in touch, ridden and lost place 15th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before last (usual 2 out)
mid-division, lost place 13th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
always behind
hampered 1st, held up behind, headway 14th, tracked leaders 2 out (usual 3 out), went 3rd after last (usual 2 out), every chance until no extra final 75 yards
tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), kept on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, lost place 14th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before last (usual 2 out)
Another maximum field and most look to have some sort of chance. Both of Jonjo O'Neill's runners should go on the short-list as this is always run at a tremendous gallop and Galaxy Rock and Alfie Sherrin stay further. The former was fourth in this two years ago, just behind Deal Done, and has a tremendous record at Cheltenham while the latter won at The Festival last year but is 7lb higher now. CHARTREUX gets the nod having beaten a subsequent winner at Wincanton in January. Rider Jamie Codd has twice ridden the winner of this in recent times and can be relied upon to give his mount every assistance from the saddle. Super Duty came within inches of giving weight to Goulanes in a Grade 2 novices event at Wetherby last month and won here in December, though has been set a stiff task by the handicapper, while Relax should be thereabouts as he's weighted to reverse recent Sandown running with Richard's Sundance. Saint Are has been hinting at a revival while On Trend and Prince Of Pirates both arrive off the back of recent wins, though will find this much more competitive. Frisco Depot hasn't had much luck this season but is another with decent claims and preferred to the Pipe trio, of which Katy Walsh's mount No Secrets may come out best. Nina Carberry and Romanesco look the pick of the Irish runners.
Swing Bill (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 5 out, kept on from 3 out, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 10, 4l behind Monkerty Tunkerty (10-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Feb.
Super Duty (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, soon settled towards rear, pushed along after 8th, headway 5 out, led before 4 out, ridden before last, headed flat, kept on and just held near finish, 2nd of 6, hd behind Goulanes (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Saint Are (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Led, blundered and headed 14th, led again next, headed after 2 out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Vino Griego (11-3) at Ascot 3m lstd hcp chs (1) sft in Feb.
Harry The Viking 16-1 (10-2) Held up behind, hampered 3rd and 5th, chased leaders under pressure 5 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms, 9th of 19, 37l behind Bobs Worth (11-6) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Problema Tic (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 6th of 10, 35l behind Ballynagour (10-0) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Feb.
Becauseicouldntsee (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Close up and disputed lead, pushed along into straight, no impression from 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace in 4th from before last, 4th of 5, 21l behind Art Of Logistics (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft in Feb.
On Trend (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, driven to lead 3 out, drew clear next, held on well, all out, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb beating Viking Blond (9-12) by 8l, 7 ran.
Vesper Bell (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Settled behind leaders, mistake 8th, soon held up towards rear, headway into 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Spot The Boss (9-10) at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp chs hvy in Feb.
Prince Of Pirates (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Held up in 6th, steady headway 12th, chased leading pair before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, upsides and hit last, driven and stayed on to lead flat, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Feb beating Circus Of Dreams (10-4) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Galaxy Rock (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Raced wide in mid-division, weakened 18th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Monbeg Dude (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Frisco Depot 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division in 4th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 10, 27l behind Ballynagour (10-0) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Feb.
Deal Done (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 14th, hit next, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 16, 38l behind Monbeg Dude (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Same Difference (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Led until 5th, chased leaders, mistakes 13th and 15th, ridden and chased leaders approaching 3 out, steadily weakened, 6th of 13, 16l behind Opening Batsman (10-5) at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Feb.
Alfie Sherrin 10-1 (11-1) Mid-division, 14th 3 out, ridden in 12th entering straight, 11th and no impression last, kept on same pace, 7th of 28, 18l behind Colbert Station (10-11) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 sft in Dec.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Led until 3rd, prominent, not fluent 18th, led before 3 out, stayed on gamely, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb beating Relax (11-7) by 5l, 8 ran.
Loose Preformer (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Led, soon clear, headed 8th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Two Rockers (11-8) at Haydock 3m nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Chartreux (FR) 2-1fav (11-10) Led until 2nd, led 4th, headed when mistake 5th (water), led 6th, headed 9th, led 16th, clear 2 out, went left after last, held on,, won at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan beating Upham Atom (11-1) by nk, 8 ran.
Liberty Counsel (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Raz De Maree (10-4) at Limerick 3m hcp chs sft in Oct, 14 ran.
Relax (FR) 5-6fav (11-7) Prominent, led 3rd, not fluent 6th, pecked 13th, mistake 18th, ridden and headed when mistake 3 out, no impression on winner from last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Richard's Sundance (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Bahrain Storm (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Held up in 5th, chased leaders under pressure 4 out, kept on same pace, no impression when left 4th last, 4th of 6, 13l behind Brave Spartacus (11-11) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Court By Surprise (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Not fluent 1st, behind, hampered 3rd, mistake 9th(water), no chance when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Quentin Collonges (10-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd, 12 ran.
Romanesco (FR) 6-4fav (11-7) Mid-division, lost position and dropped to rear 5 out, no impression from 3 out, 7th of 9, 38l behind Dactik (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Feb.
Sunny Ledgend 7-2fav (11-0) Chased leader until 4th, chased leaders, went 2nd again next, led 2 out, headed and stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Olympian Boy (10-4) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
No Secrets (IRE) 2-1 (11-9) Made all, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb beating See U Bob (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
