mid-division, headway 16th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on flat
jumped left, behind, hampered 7th, headway 18th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up, hampered 7th, hit 10th, weakened 24th
held up, headway 22nd, stayed 24, ridden 3 out, stayed on well towards finish
mid-division, headway after 3rd, mistake 10th, weakened 22nd
keen, mid division, mistake 10, headway 20th, disputing close 4th, when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
held up, headway 22nd, ridden after 24th, weakened after next
mid-division, headway 17th, weakened 24th
held up, slightly hampered 7, headway 18th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
hampered 7th, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
was prominent, lost place 13, mistake 15th, weakened after 23rd
prominent to 21st, soon behind
always behind, fell 14th
mid-division, bumped 6, hampered next, jumped right 10th, headway 16, mistake 20th, ridden after 4 out, weakening when bumped 2 out
in touch, fell 14th
prominent, mistake 5th, bumped 10th, mistake 23rd, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on
in touch, jumped right 6th, fell next
led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders to 10th, towards rear when brought down 14th
behind, headway 6th, weakened 17th, behind when pulled up before 20th
Nonrunner
Jonjo O'Neill has won the past three runnings of this long-distance chase for amateur riders, but Classic Native is passed over in favour of Point Barrow, with Your A Gassman, Whitford Don and Pipe pair Sixo and Control Man all preferred. Despite the fact that this is for amateur riders, it has generally gone to a well-fancied contender in the past 10 years, and with Point Barrow fitting the bill from an age point of view, the in-form Irish raider gets the vote. The Pat Hughes-trained seven-year-old has won in grade 2 and 3 company at Naas and Navan this year, and after the latest comfortable victory, he was earmarked for today's event by connections. Both wins were on heavy ground but he does handle faster conditions and there will be no worries on that score. Your a Gassman let his supporters down badly in the Skybet Chase at Doncaster but his trainer believes that Tom Dreaper will bring out the best in the seven-year-old, as will the trip. Paul Nichols saddles Whitford Don who earned his ticket by beating a small field at Warwick. He will be ridden from off the pace and has the assistance of the up-and-coming Colman Sweeney and should give you a run for your money. Control Man needs it softer to be seen at his best and stablemate Sixo, formerly a smart hurdler, may be a better alternative for Pipe fans. For a big price, have a look at Garryvoe. He stays all day and has had a couple of pipe-openers over hurdles. Tom Greenall has a good record over fences for the stable and he might just reach the frame. The one to beat though is definitely Point Barrow.
Control Man (IRE) 4-1 Held up in touch, chasing leaders when hit 15th, soon lost place, blundered badly next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Forest Gunner at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Keepatem (IRE) 7-4fav 3rd early, lost place halfway, 5th and ridden 3 out, moderate 3rd after 2 out, jumped left last, kept on well under pressure, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Newmill at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 hvy in Jan.
Oh So Lively (IRE) 14-1 Held up, progress on inner halfway, 5th 6 out, headway after 3 out, close 2nd and challenged next, led last, headed run in, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Alberoni at Naas 2m 4f nov hcp chs sft in Feb.
Point Barrow (IRE) 5-4fav Always prominent, led after 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed from last, stayed on well under pressure close home, won at Navan 3m nov chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Feb beating Mullacash by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Torche (IRE) 10-1 Mid-division, ridden along 9th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 14, 26l behind Zeta's River at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs.
Whitford Don (IRE) 7-2 Tracked leaders, shaken up to lead approaching last, ran on, won at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (B) sft in Feb beating Concert Pianist by 4l, 5 ran.
Willie John Daly (IRE) 15-2 Led, headed after 1st, chased leader, hit 5th, ridden approaching 12th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 5, well behind L'ami at Warwick 3m nov chs (B) sft in Jan.
Your A Gassman (IRE) 15-8fav Held up in touch, reminders after 9th, ridden approaching 11th, weakened after 5 out, 6th of 12, 31l behind Colourful Life at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-145 (A) gd in Jan.
Caislean Ui Cuain (IRE) 12-1 8th of 9, more than 16l behind Ichi Cavalo at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp chs 0-102 gd.
Classic Native (IRE) 11-2 Held up, blundered 15th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, soon eased, 5th of 10, 42l behind Merchants Friend at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) hvy in Dec.
Earl's Kitchen 8-1 Tracked leader, led 9th, mistake 5 out, clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Feb beating Howdydoody by 8l, 8 ran.
Eva So Charming 4-1 Led narrowly 2nd, headed 4 out, chased leader to next, soon outpaced, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Calvic at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (D) sft in Feb.
Gallik Dawn 10-1 Always behind, mistake 13th, losing touch when mistake 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Gray's Eulogy at Sandown 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
Garryvoe (IRE) 9-2 With leader, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, one pace when mistake last, 2nd of 7, 7l behind The Listener at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (C) hvy in Feb.
Sixo (IRE) 3-1 Chased leaders, led and jumped left 3 out, jumped left and mistake 2 out, soon headed, switched right, no extra, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Distant Thunder at Newbury 3m nov chs (C) gs in Feb.
Another Rum (IRE) 6-1 Tracked leaders, improved into 3rd approaching 4 out, 6th and ridden after next, 4th and no impression from last, 4th of 9, 9l behind Point Barrow at Navan 3m nov chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Feb.
Ardashir (FR) 11-1 Held up in touch, lost place approaching 6th, soon struggling, 4th of 7, 17l behind Captain Corelli at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs (B) sft in Feb.
Go White Lightning (IRE) 11-2 Left to 4th, stayed prominent, weakened 14th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Torche at Warwick 3m 2f beg chs (E) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Laska De Thaix (FR) 2-1 In touch, led on bit approaching 3 out, soon clear, eased close home, won at Exeter 3m nov hdl (E) gs beating Lord Killeshanra by 12l, 14 ran.
Major Blue 7-1 Mid-division, headway 6th, stayed on one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Cinnamon Line at Chepstow 3m beg chs (E) gd.
Pearly Jack 5-2fav Tracked leaders, 5th 5 out, headway to lead after next, ridden clear after 2 out, strongly pressed after last, stayed on well, won at Thurles 2m hcp chs 0-116 sft in Feb beating Randwick Roar by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
