in rear, headway approaching 18th, went 3rd after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, edged right after last, one pace flat
prominent, jumped right 5th, pushed along when blundered 17th, soon weakened
always prominent, led 17th, headed approaching 4 out, mistake 2 out, swerved badly right after last, led final 100yds, driven out
mid-division until fell 7th
held up, mistake 3rd, not fluent 4th, headway 9th, led before 4 out, 4 lengths clear before 2 out, ridden between last 2, hung right after last, headed final 100yds
held up, headway 11th, went prominent 15th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led 9th to 17th, weakened from 3 out
mid-division, hampered 17th, ridden 13th, mistake 14th (water), last when mistake 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led, mistake 4th, headed 9th, weakened approaching 16th, tailed up when pulled up before 4 out
in rear, mistake 8th, last 13th, effort 4 out, no impression from 3 out
chased leaders, bumped 5th, not jump that well after, lost place 9th, behind from 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, rear from 10th, behind when pulled up before 15th
Dante Citizen can stamp his class on this line-up, with Tooley Park, Mister Club Royal, Master Billyboy and Gaelsbob all out to stop him. Dante Citizen managed to win four times under rules in all when trained by Tom George, the latest of those victories coming 12 months ago at Hereford. Since then though, the nine-year-old has been switched to Stanton-based Kim Smyly who has already placed him to good effect between the flags, most recently at Garthorpe last month when ridden by his owner David Maxwell who partners him here on the gelding's hunter-chase debut. A clear round should be enough for the pair to come out on top, with Tooley Park seen as a possible threat. However, his best form under rules has come on heavy ground, and he is likely to be taken off his feet by the selection. Of the rest, Mister Club Royal needs to improve on what he showed behind Whitenzo at Exeter, while Master Billyboy will have to step up a gear. Gaelsbob is nicely bred and has been consistent between the flags, so may go well at a big price, but Dante Citizen is a confident selection.
Beauchamp Oracle 12-1 (12-2) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Scots Grey (12-2) at Newbury 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Dante Citizen (IRE) 10-11fav (12-3) Held up; went 3rd 12; led 2 out; stayed on wl, won at Garthorpe 3m ptp sft in Mar beating Merry Path (12-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
Vinnie Boy (IRE) 4-1 (12-1) Always behind, 5th of 12, 46l behind Family Business (11-12) at Chepstow 3m 5f hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Gaelsbob 11-10fav (12-0) Hdwy to disp 2nd 14; outpcd nxt; rgnd poor 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 9, 20l behind Arnold Layne (12-0) at Horseheath 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Gallik Dawn 8-1 (12-5) Eff 15; rdn app 2 out; sn btn, 6th of 12, 16l behind Twenty Degrees (12-5) at Maisemore Park 3m ptp gd.
Gallop Rhythm (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Led 4 til hdd & fell in race won by Upton Legend (11-7) at Brampton Bryan 3m ptp gf in Mar, 9 ran.
Gola Cher (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) A bhnd; t.o, 4th of 8, 26l behind Chaucers Miller (12-0) at Barbury 3m ptp gf.
Master Billyboy (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Trckd ldrs; eff app 3 out; stayed on one-pcd, 3rd of 4, 12l behind Phar City (11-0) at Littlewindsor 3m ptp gd.
Mister Club Royal 25-1 (11-5) In touch, took closer order 7th, ridden after 15th, one pace from next, 4th of 9, 28l behind Whitenzo (11-5) at Exeter 3m 1f hts chs (5) gs in Mar.
Potoffairies (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) (cp) nvr nr to chall, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Sevensider (12-0) at Whitwell On Hill 3m ptp gd.
Reel Dancer 9-4 (12-3) Held up last; hdwy 13; rdn to chall aft 2 out; nt qckn flat, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Half Inch (11-7) at Kimble 3m ptp gf.
Tooley Park 4-1 (12-7) (cp) held up mid-div; hdwy 15; ev ch 2 out; nt qckn, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Arnold Layne (12-0) at Dingley 3m ptp gd.
