mid-division, headway and mistake 8th, ridden after 3 out, close 3rd next, edged left, ran on strongly final 100 yards, led towards finish
reminders after 10th, always towards rear
chased leaders, close up and travelling well when brought down 2 out
mid-division, hit 5th, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, led soon after last, no extra when headed final 100 yards
mid-division, ridden 12th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden and staying on when badly hampered 2 out, kept on same pace from last
towards rear, reminders after 6th, mistake 12th, soon driven, weakened after 3 out
in touch, ridden after 12th, weakened after next
hit 4th, mid-division until 11th, soon behind
with leader, ridden after 12th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, no fluent 1st, ridden and steady progress 3 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders
mid-division, headway 9th, joined leaders 10th, ridden to lead soon after 2 out, headed soon after last, no extra
led, jumped right 3 out, ridden when pecked next, soon headed, rallied gamely from last, no extra near finish
mid-division, mistake 11th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
in touch, close up 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, struggling when slighty hampered 2 out, not a danger after
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 2 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden after 12th, hampered 2 out, weakened
mid-division, headway 9th, disputing close 3rd, ridden when sprawled on landing and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, smooth headway and slighty hampered 2 out, soon ridden, ran in strongly from last, led final 100 yards, caught towards finish
A huge field for this competitive handicap chase where Bob Hall can win on his reappearance, with Black Hills and Berengario among a number of potential dangers. Bob Hall has a number of things going for him here including acting on the ground and over the trip, and being a lightly raced individual there is room for improvement. He has an 11lb pull with Private Be for a three length defeat at Aintree in April and can make the most of that. Private Be makes his Cheltenham debut here and trip and ground suit, but however well he runs he should struggle to finish ahead of the selection. Comply Or Die was a very decent sort three seasons ago but has plenty to prove after being off the track since December 2005, while Bishop's Bridge has his work cut out upped 4lb for an Ascot defeat in March. Lord Ryeford has gone up 29lb for completing a hat-trick. He may well still be improving but has to show he handles the track and more importantly this slower ground. The latter comment applies to Alrafid, while Berengario enters more competitive territory now after back-to-back wins at Newton Abbot. The other runner of interest is Craven, who has a featherweight and whose hurdles form has him quite closely matched with Private Be, so he could go well at a big price, but for the winner we like the look of Bob Hall.
Knowhere (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Chased leaders to 6th, losing place when blundered and unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Silver Birch (10-6) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Comply Or Die (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Never in contention, behind when pulled up at the 15th in race won by L'aventure (10-4) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec '05, 18 ran.
Private Be 12-1 (10-10) With leader, led from 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, hung left and kept on under pressure from last, won at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr beating Bob Hall (11-7) by 3l, 10 ran.
Bob Hall (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, every chance approaching last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Private Be (10-10) at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Black Hills 5-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led and made most after 8th, in command between last 2, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Apr beating Mr Boo (11-0) by 4l, 5 ran.
Magic Sky (FR) 22-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, one pace, 9th of 23, 9l behind Leslingtaylor (9-11) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
Tommy Spar 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear when fell at the 9th in race won by Iron Man (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Sept, 16 ran.
Lankawi 9-2fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 14, 24l behind Iron Man (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Jul.
Chief Yeoman 2-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 7th, challenged 4 out to 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Echo Point (11-4) at Perth 2m nov chs (3) gs in Apr.
Maurice (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Led and jumped left, blundered 13th, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 18, 26l behind Reveillez (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Harmony Brig (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden after 5 out, hampered by loose horse 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 6, 23l behind Yes Sir (11-10) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gf in Apr.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 9-2 (10-1) In touch, took closer order 3 out, pressed winner from 2 out, every chance flat, held close home, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Misty Dancer (9-13) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Lord Ryeford (IRE) 9-4 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden 3 out, headed next, led last, all out, won at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gf in Sept beating Gan Eagla (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Alrafid (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 9th, chasing winner when mistake 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Rapide Plaisir (11-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sept.
Berengario (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leader from 5th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, hung left approaching last, ridden out, won at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (4) gd in Aug beating Gan Eagla (11-4) by 5l, 12 ran.
Petitjean 15-8fav (11-9) Not fluent, keen hold in touch, mistake 11th, challenging for 2nd when mistake 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 7, 15l behind Always Waining (11-4) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Which Pocket (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, mistake 2nd and 8th, ridden to lead 11th, headed next, weakening when pulled up 3 out in race won by Iron Man (11-6) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in May, 14 ran.
Craven (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Towards rear, steady headway from 8th, going well, chased winner 4 out, ridden 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Free Gift (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
Maljimar (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway 9th, effort 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 11l behind From Dawn To Dusk (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
