mid-division, lost place after 6th, soon behind
behind, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, hung left approaching next, soon weakened
reminders after 4th, always behind
led and hit 2nd, mistake 7th, ridden and headed after 2 out, stayed on
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, ran on strongly flat to lead close home
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened next
towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden next, ran on strongly flat, nearest at finish
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on
held up, headway 5th, edged left after 3 out, led after next, ridden and hung right approaching last, headed close home
chased leaders to after 3 out, weakened quickly,
always behind
in touch, hit 1st, headway 5th, ridden and every chance 2 out, hung left and then right flat, stayed on
not fluent 7th, always towards rear
led to approaching 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, not fluent 3rd, ridden and mistake 6th, weakened next
mid-division, not much room after 3 out, soon weakened
behind, headway 7th, ridden and effort 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, lost place 4th, rallied approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when mistake 2 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakening when bumped approaching next
Gold Medallist has done nothing wrong since going hurdling and can come out on top over a whole host of other leading sorts including Royal Paradise and Pole Star. Gold Medallist brings solid credentials to this championship contest, having remained unbeaten throughout his preparation, and he carries the hopes of many, not least pilot Richard Johnson who sees the former smart Flat stayer as his best chance of a winning ride at the Festival. Trained on the level by David Elsworth, the son of Zilzal was good enough to lower the colours of Bryan Boru in the Group 2 Prix Kergolay at Deauville in August. He rounded off his Flat campaign by finishing fifth to Millenary in the Group 3 Persian Punch Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket in October, and was always going to be an exciting addition to the hurdling ranks. Cheltenham has been the plan since day one when he duly made a winning start over hurdles at Exeter, and his recent all-the way victory over Pole Star at Huntingdon should have put him spot on for his biggest test, that hopefully he will pass with flying colours. Pole Star looked as though he was going to pass the selection at one point in the Sidney Banks, but despite receiving four-pounds, was always held, and he will do well to reverse the form off level weights. Royal Paradise was trained in France when finishing fourth in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper last year and hails form the stable that sent out Danoli to win this race 10 years ago. He limbered up with a convincing victory in a Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown last month and connections fancy him strongly. Whatever happens today, he will be a force to be reckoned with when sent over fences next season. Gold Medallist sets the standard and can take the prize back to Minehead.
Bagan (FR) 6-4fav Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, ridden to lead 2 out, ridden out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (C) gd beating Savannah Bay by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Black Apalachi (IRE) 20-1 Held up, headway after 3 out, 2nd and challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on well from last, won at Naas 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Feb beating Homer Wells by 2l, 9 ran.
Darkness 4-9fav With leader, led 3rd, not fluent 6th, ridden 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Feb beating Jaunty Times by 11l, 11 ran.
Forager 15-2 Chased clear leader, closed steadily 7th, led after 3 out, ridden next, hard pressed before last, held on gamely under pressure flat, won at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (C) sft in Feb beating Ladalko by a nk, 9 ran.
Gold Medallist 4-6fav Made all, ridden and hit 2 out, driven and hung left flat, all out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (B) sft in Feb beating Pole Star by 1/2l, 4 ran.
No Refuge (IRE) 5-6fav Jumped right, held up and keen, ridden and headway when hung left and led 2 out, hung left again flat, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Jan beating Lady Zephyr by 3l, 5 ran.
Olaso (GER) 4-5fav Held up, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, not quicken flat, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Jair Ohmsford at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft.
Our Ben Evensfav Settled moderate 3rd, slight mistake 6th, effort and no impression 3 out, trailing straight, 3rd of 5, well behind Sweet Kiln at Fairyhouse 3m nov hdl hvy in Jan.
Pole Star 13-8 Close up, chased winner 6th, mistake 3 out, every chance 2 out, driven flat, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Gold Medallist at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (B) sft in Feb.
Racing Demon (IRE) 13-8fav Held up in touch, good headway to lead on bit approaching 3 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Jan beating Laska De Thaix by 11l, 17 ran.
Red Georgie (IRE) Evensjt-fav Made all, in command 2 out, well clear final furlong, eased near finish, won at Kempton 3m nov hdl (D) gs beating Miko de Beauchene by 8l, 6 ran.
Regents Walk (IRE) 14-1 Held up in touch, led going well approaching 2 out, shaken up flat, ran on well, won at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Dec beating Quid Pro Quo by 3l, 18 ran.
Reveillez 8-11fav Chased leader, led 6th, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Jan beating Pretty Star by 2l, 15 ran.
Roman Ark 7-1 Held up in touch, pushed along from 3 out, one pace when mistake last, 9th of 25, 9l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Royal Paradise (FR) 4-5fav Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 3 out, led after 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 1 (A) sft in Feb beating The Railway Man by 3l, 8 ran.
Secret Ploy 4-5fav Held up, headway after 4th, ridden 3 out, kept on from next, stayed on to take 2nd run-in, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Mount Clerigo at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (D) sft in Jan.
Snoopy Loopy (IRE) 8-1 Held up, blundered 2nd, headway approaching 8th, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 12, 22l behind Over The Creek at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Feb.
Court Leader (IRE) 2-1fav Settled in mid-division, close 4th from 3 out, smooth headway to lead last, quickened clear run-in, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl hvy beating Public Reaction by 9l, 11 ran.
Inch Pride (IRE) 4-7fav With leaders, led after 2nd, clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (E) sft in Feb beating Horcott Bay by 5l, 13 ran.
Queen Astrid (IRE) 4-6fav Tracked leaders, 2nd before halfway, closed on leader after 3 out, brought wide entering straight, led 2 out, soon drew clear, easily, won at Limerick 2m 3f mrs mdn hdl sft beating Cake It Easy by 20l, 16 ran.
Stan (NZ) 7-2 Held up, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and headed next, one pace, 2nd of 9, 17l behind Debbie at Catterick 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Jan.
