tracked leaders, lost place 5th, pushed along in last when not fluent 12th, tailed off 16th, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, pushed along 15th, lost place next, well beaten after 4 out, pulled up before next
held up in rear, mistake 5th (water), mistake 13th, ridden 4 out, not fluent 3 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, switched right before last, no impression flat
tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 14th, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear on outside, ridden after 4 out, headway when mistake 3 out, weakened from 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, not fluent 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, went 4th flat, stayed on, not able to get on terms
mid-division, blundered 1st, headway 11th, mistake 3 out, 5th when mistake 2 out, no extra and not fluent last, weakened flat
led until 14th, every chance 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat, clear towards finish
mid-division, closed 6th, mistake 15th, challenged after 3 out, 4th and one pace last, weakened final 100 yards
held up towards rear, headway 15th, ridden after 4 out, lost place before 2 out
pressed leader, not fluent 1st, pecked slightly 4 out, headed 2 out, still every chance after last, no impression towards finish
chased leaders, went close up 12th, every chance 3 out, 3rd last, stayed on same pace
Nonrunner
Balthazar King has won this for the past two years but the cross-country specialist isn't bidding for a hat-trick. Instead, Philip Hobbs relies on Duke Of Lucca and Roalco De Farges, both decent chasers themselves. Paul Nicholls is also dual-handed and his pair clashed here in April when Mon Parrain came out on top. Sire Collonges is now 8lb better off for a nine-length defeat however. This might be too far for Dursey Sound and Chicago Grey would have preferred better ground but Mart Lane came right back to form at Market Rasen while Your Busy and Me And Ben arrive off the back of wins at Listowel. Midnight Appeal and Golden Chieftain would have a chance on their best form but we'll take a chance that a break has refreshed ALFIE SPINNER. It may be almost three years since he last won a race but he was in good form around this time last year and the handicapper continues to give him every chance of ending his losing run.
Mon Parrain (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, rallied from 2 out, stayed on well flat, led close home, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Apr beating Forgotten Gold (11-4) by shd, 10 ran.
Sire Collonges (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Led until 2nd, prominent, led again 2 out, soon headed, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Mon Parrain (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Apr.
Duke Of Lucca (IRE) (10-10) in a race won by Balthazar King (10-10) at Craon(FR) 3m 6f crs cty chs gd in Sep, 12 ran.
Mart Lane (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Prominent, lost place halfway, 7th 3 out, rallied approaching last, ridden and ran on to lead final 50 yards, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep beating Dursey Sound (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Dursey Sound (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Towards rear of mid-division, headway 9th, chased leaders 3 out, driven and one pace next, ridden and kept on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Mart Lane (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Chicago Grey (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Mid-division, in rear when not fluent 12th, closed from 16th, outpaced 7 out, rallied approaching last, weakened flat, 7th of 13, 45l behind Sire Collonges (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gd in Dec.
Midnight Appeal 16-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, hampered 1st, headway approaching 15th, weakened after 4 out, 13th of 19, well behind Hadrian's Approach (11-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr.
Your Busy (IRE) 25-1 (9-12) Disputing lead when bad mistake 1st and headed, regained lead after 3rd and made rest, not fluent 7 out, ridden entering straight, strongly pressed from 2 out, stayed on well under pressure from last, won at Listowel 3m hcap ch gd in Sep beating Pass The Hat (10-6) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Roalco De Farges (FR) 8-1fav (10-3) Held up, not fluent 4th or 12th, headway from 16th, went 2nd 3 out until 2 out, no extra before last, 7th of 19, 22l behind Hadrian's Approach (11-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr.
Golden Chieftain (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up, mistake 11th, hit 4 out, well beaten next, 6th of 10, 24l behind Mon Parrain (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Apr.
Me And Ben (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Soon chased leaders, 8th after 3rd, closer in 3rd 4 out travelling smoothly, led before 2 out, clear last, stayed on well run-in, won at Listowel 3m hcp chs 0-123 gd in Sep beating Please Talk (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Standing Ovation (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Towards rear when hampered and unseated rider 12th (canal turn), in a race won by Ma Filleule (11-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr, 30 ran.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders to 16th, behind from 19th, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Goulanes (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Le Bec (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway 15th, in touch when fell 4 out, in a race won by O'Faolains Boy (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
