held up, closer order 11th, tracked leaders 15th, mistake 17th, close up when brought down 4 out
tracked leaders, hit 9th, mistake 14th, ridden to chase leader 17th, left in lead 4 out, soon ridden and headed next and weakened
led and mistakes, headed 16th, led again after, ridden when fell 4 out
held up, mistake 10th, ridden and outpaced 16th, headway to dispute lead 3 out, ridden and every chance when hit last, kept on
prominent and keen, ridden to lead 16th, headed next, weakening when mistake 3 out
led 1st and soon headed, stayed prominent, not fluent 8th, outpaced 16th, headway 4 out to dispute lead 3 out, led last, all out
Nonrunner
A tight-knit affair on paper may go the way of Yardbird, with Lough Derg, Unleash and De Blanc all worthy adversaries. Yardbird managed to hold on narrowly from Rodalko at Newbury in March despite the ground being softer than he would have liked, and with conditions much more suitable today, he can follow up. Alan King's charge is a progressive sort, and as long as he treates the fences with the respect that they deserve, he should go close. If this was over hurdles then Lough Derg would be strongly fancied, but he does not look happy over fences and cannot be recommended with confidence after being pulled up when tailed off in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase last time. He did though beat Unleash over hurdles on this very card 12 months ago and may at least maintain that form over the Hobbs horse. De Blanc has been consistent but might find conditions too lively, and so we shall stay loyal to Yardbird.
Alderburn 8-1 (10-10) Mid-division, hampered 9th, headway approaching 16th, ridden before next, weakened approaching last, 7th of 21, 14l behind Dun Doire (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Yardbird (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, blundered 14th, challenged 3 out, upsides last, rider dropped whip run-in, ran on to lead last strides, won at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar beating Rodalko (10-9) by a hd, 17 ran.
Lough Derg (FR) 33-1 (11-4) In touch, jumped right 2nd, pushed along intermittently after, weakening when blundered 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out pulled up 4 out in race won by Star De Mohaison (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar, 15 r.
Unleash (USA) 16-1 (11-2) Held up, left moderate 3rd 3 out, kept on run-in, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Darkness (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov.
De Blanc (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) In touch, went 2nd and hit 10th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Sarahs Quay (9-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f mrs hcp chs (1) hvy in Mar.
Napolitain (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, blundered and lost place 8th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Star De Mohaison (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd, 15 ran.
Thyne Spirit (IRE) 80-1 (10-0) Mistakes, always towards rear, 7th of 11, well behind Would You Believe (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
