in touch, dropped to mid-division when not fluent 11th, lost cheekpiece next, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
slowly away, always behind, blundered 18th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
held up behind, hit 13th, headway 18th, 4th 2 out, stayed on to challenge last, ridden and every chance flat, held towards finish
towards rear, headway 18th, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
chased leaders, lost place when blundered 17th, pulled up before next
led to 3rd, remained in touch, lost place when blundered and unseated rider 16th
tracked leaders until blundered and unseated rider 3rd
chased leaders, outpaced 18th, soon behind
mid-division in touch when blundered and unseated rider 9th
mid-division, headway 18th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, jumped slowly 7th, outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, never reached leaders
awkwardly away, behind, plugged on from 3 out, never nearer
chased leaders, headway and in touch bypassing 4th last, led after 3 out, headed last, ridden and weakened flat
raced keenly, with leader, led 3rd, hampered by loose horse 10th, clear 12th, blundered 14th, jumped right from next, blundered 17th, headed bypassing 4th last, lost place 3 out, weakened and pulled up before last
in touch, tracked leader when blundered and unseated rider 9th
chased leaders to halfway, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up behind, headway on inside 16th, went 3rd 2 out, led last, ridden and held on flat
chased leaders to 17th, soon behind
in touch, not much room bypassing 4th last, soon outpaced, ridden and rallied after 3 out, no impression from next
mid-division, headway 16th, led bypassing 4th last, headed after 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression last
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Chapoturgeon's defeat of subsequent winner Cloudy Lane at Newbury in January is arguably the best form on offer here. Turko was a well-beaten fourth that day while the mare My Flora was starting to struggle when falling two out and Richard Barber's grey, a previous Festival winner, will be fancied to confirm that running today. However, he's entering unknown territory regarding the trip here and may not last home. More interesting is Barbers Shop, who was good enough to finish third to Kauto Star in the 2009 King George and has been rejuvenated by a spell hunting, winning both starts this year at Fakenham and Folkestone. He should give supporters a run for their money though Herons Well is worth a second look as he was still travelling well towards the head of affairs in this last year when blundering and unseating his rider and will be all the better for last month's fourth at Sandown when giving weight to second Blackstaff. ON THE FRINGE was fourth in the race last year having been sent off joint favourite. He'll need to jump better if he is to recoup losses but a recent third behind Salsify at Leopardstown should have blown away any cobwebs and Not Before Eight looks held on the form book. Enda Bolger's seven-year-old can give crack amateur JT McNamara a second win at The Festival this year.
Barbers Shop 4-6fav (11-9) With leaders, outright lead and made most from 3rd, went right 13th, strongly pressed and hard ridden flat, always just doing enough and on top close home, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hts chs (6) gs in Feb beating Merry Vic (11-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Blackstaff (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Blundered 1st and 2nd, behind, took keen hold and rapid headway to join winner after 7th, lost 2nd after 3 out, stayed on to regain 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 14l behind Gwanako (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd in Feb.
Boxer Georg (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Prominent, on terms approaching straight, soon led, strongly pressed from before 2 out, kept on best closing stages, won at Clonmel 2m 4f hts chs hvy in Feb beating Zardsky (11-7) by 2l, 14 ran.
Bradley 9-4fav (11-7) In touch, lost place 12th, headway 19th, chased leading pair 3 out, led last, ridden and hard pressed flat, just held on, won at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb beating Aldertune (11-12) by nk, 10 ran.
Chapoturgeon (FR) 1-6 (12-7) Made all; drew clr 3 out; canter, won at Milborne St Andrew 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Tallow Bridge (12-0) by 40l, 2 ran.
Cloudy Lane 2-9fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, left in lead 12th, ridden after last, kept on, won at Ayr 3m 1f hts chs (6) sft in Feb beating Special Portrait (12-5) by 12l, 5 ran.
Count Salazar (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Tr ldrs, ld 2out, row, won at Bennettsbridge 3m ire ptp gs in Feb beating Perce Rock (11-4) by 10l, 15 ran.
Eleazar (GER) 6-4 (12-1) Tracked leader, chased winner 11th, ridden 3 out, plugged on same pace, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Barbers Shop (11-7) at Fakenham 3m hts chs (6) gs in Feb.
Enter Paradise (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Made all, clear 2 out, eased flat, comfortable, won at Fakenham 3m beg chase (4) gs in Feb beating Like Minded (10-11) by 13l, 6 ran.
Herons Well (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Pressed leader until hit 2nd, in touch, chased winner after 3 out until after last, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 22l behind Gwanako (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd in Feb.
Just Amazing (IRE) 1-2fav (12-6) Jumped left, led until headed approaching 8th, led again 12th, not fluent and went left 4 out, pressed before 2 out, went left and looked in command 2 out, idled badly before last, joined flat, pulled out extra final 75 yards, won at Ascot 2m 5f hts chs (4) gd in Apr beating Sovereign King (11-9) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Keenan's Future (IRE) 11-2fav (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, went 4th before 2 out, kept on towards finish, 4th of 17, 9l behind Knighton Combe (10-6) at Uttoxeter 3m 4f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Jun.
Merchant Royal (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Tracked leaders, closed up to lead briefly 3 out, waited with in 2nd until challenged and disputed 2 out, led going well approaching last, strongly pressed and stayed on well run-in, all out, won at Thurles 3m hts chs sft in Jan beating Viking Splash (11-11) by nk, 13 ran.
Not Before Eight (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Mid-division, 9th halfway, switched right early straight and 7th at last, kept on under pressure run-in, 4th of 17, 5l behind Salsify (11-11) at Leopardstown 3m hts chs gs in Feb.
Oscar Delta (IRE) Evens (12-0) Rcd 5th until 4th from 5out & slow 4out, cl 2nd from 3out, ld bef last, hdd last, no ex final 50 yards, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Whyso Mayo (12-0) at Bandon 3m ire ptp sft in Feb.
Picaroon 4-5 (11-7) Led 1; qcknd clr 11; unchall, won at Didmarton 3m ptp gd beating Master Wolfe (11-0) by 7l, 8 ran.
Roulez Cool 2-1fav (12-0) Chased leaders, led 15th, made rest, idled flat, in command, won at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) gf in May '10 beating Templer (12-0) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
Rowdy Rampage (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Led 2nd, made rest, driven approaching last, ridden and held on under pressure flat, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Aug beating Grovemere (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Salsify (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Settled in mid-division on inner, headway into 3rd 4 out, travelling best to challenge approaching last where led, driven out and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 3m hts chs gs in Feb beating Saddlers Storm (12-0) by 4l, 17 ran.
Surenaga (IRE) 9-1 (12-3) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders before 6th, every chance 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Unowatimeen (11-5) at Haydock 3m hts chs (3) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Turko (FR) 7-2 (11-11) With leader, led 2nd, headed 3 out, rallied and every chance last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Unowatimeen (11-5) at Haydock 3m hts chs (3) hvy in Feb.
My Flora 1-2 (11-12) Hdwy 12; led aft 15; clr 2 out; comf, won at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Findlay's Find (12-5) by 8l, 8 ran.
On The Fringe (IRE) 9-4fav (12-0) Held up towards rear, some headway into 7th before 4 out, 6th entering straight, ridden to go 3rd at last, no impression run-in and kept on one pace, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Salsify (11-11) at Leopardstown 3m hts chs gs in Feb.
Theatre Diva (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, mistake 12th, headway after 5 out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Drumbaloo (11-1) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
