in rear when mistake and unseated rider 9th
held up behind, headway on inside 10th, lost place 15th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, never on terms
mid-division on outside, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, stayed on same pace under pressure from next, never on terms
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, led 14th, headed 4 out, ridden next, stayed on same pace from 2 out, no impression
in touch, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, headed flat, kept on under pressure
mid-division, mistake 3rd, behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders to 12th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led to 5th, chased leaders, lost place 13th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
soon behind, struggling 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led 5th, mistake next, headed 14th, lost place 17th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair
mid-division on inside, outpaced 13th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, chased leaders 17th to 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
in touch until mistake and dropped to mid-division 5th, behind and reminders 12th, pulled up before next
held up behind, headway 12th, went 2nd 2 out, led flat, stayed on
Nonrunner
There are concerns regarding BREAKING SILENCE's jumping but he readily accounted for Florida Dream at Warwick and may prove too strong for Templer et al. The selection comes into this race seeking a hat-trick following impressive victories at Doncaster and Warwick and the balance of his form suggests that he'll be equally effective under these faster conditions. He had some smart form to his name over hurdles early in his career and should continue to be a force to be reckoned with at this level. It's difficult to see why Florida Dream should reverse Warwick form with the selection whilst the best days of once smart chasers Take The Stand and Crystal d'Ainay may be behind them. Amicelli, who won this race last year, may also be feeling the icy hand of Father Time on his shoulder and more questions may be posed by Templer. He's partnered by a talented amateur who was on board when the gelding scored at Ludlow and they should be involved again but they may find Breaking Silence too strong if that one's jumping holds up.
Back Nine (IRE) 5-1 (12-1) Chased leader until 2nd, 4th when ridden 12th, outpaced 16th, stayed on flat to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Van Ness (11-11) at Sandown 3m hts chs (4) gd in Mar.
Breaking Silence (IRE) 9-4 (12-2) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 14th, headway after 3 out, led last, ridden out, won at Warwick 3m 2f hts chs (6) sft in Mar beating Oopsmylord (12-2) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Dennis The Legend 13-2 (11-7) In rear, hit 5th, reminder after 9th, behind 12th, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Forzy Origny (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Gallik Dawn 7-1 (10-2) Mid-division on outside, jumped left 4th, outpaced 12th, no chance from next, 8th of 12, 30l behind Seymar Lad (10-11) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Take The Stand (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, mistake 14th (water), outpaced when fell 4 out, in a race won by Baby Run (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Templer (IRE) 15-8 (11-13) Tracked leader, led 6th, hit 3 out, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 3m hts chs (5) gd in Mar beating Fundamentalist (12-1) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Joaaci (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Prominent on outer when fell 1st, in a race won by Silver Adonis (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs, 21 ran.
Novi Sad (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Made all, clear 13th, ridden 2 out, tired flat just held on, won at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) gf in Mar beating Rockwithacaveman (11-10) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Picabo Kid (USA) 13-2 (11-5) With leader, led 13th, headed next, chased leader, ridden to lead bend approaching last, ran on, won at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gd beating Kadount (11-9) by 11l, 7 ran.
Worship The Stars 1-2 (12-7) (tt) made virt all; kpt on wl, won at Brampton Bryan 3m ptp sft beating Hoh Nelson (12-0) by 2l, 3 ran.
Crystal d'Ainay (FR) 12-1 (12-1) Chased winner throughout, tried to close approaching 10th, no impression from 14th, never able to challenge, 2nd of 14, 20l behind Chesnut Annie (11-8) at Ffos Las 3m hts chs (4) gs in Feb.
Florida Dream (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Prominent, led before 4th until 14th, hit 4 out, beaten approaching 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Breaking Silence (12-2) at Warwick 3m 2f hts chs (6) sft in Mar.
Hemington 8-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, went 3rd 4 out, ridden approaching last, no extra, 4th of 13, 4l behind Oranger (11-9) at Stratford 2m 7f nov hts chs (5) gf in Mar.
Jolly Boys Outing (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Pulled hard, soon held up in 5th, jumped right 6th and 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Here's Johnny (11-9) at Exeter 3m hts chs (6) sft in Mar.
Sweet Diversion (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) (tt) prsd wnr til wknd 2 out, 2nd of 3, 40l behind Thisthatandtother (12-7) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp gs in Mar.
Theatre Diva (IRE) 5-6fav (10-10) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 10th, went 2nd at 12th, challenged 2 out, led after last, pushed out, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) sft beating Ofarel D'airy (12-4) by 1l, 10 ran.
Amicelli (GER) 25-1 (12-0) Never better than mid-division, tailed off when pulled up before 17th, in a race won by Baby Run (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
