led, mistake and headed 5th, tracked leader, not always fluent after, blundered 11th, mistake and lost place 3 out, weakened and pulled up after next
held up towards rear, reminders after 12th, some headway under pressure after 4 out, never near leaders, weakened next, tailed off
close up, led 5th, blundered 14th, edged right after last, soon ridden and hard pressed, headed closing stages, kept on
tracked leaders, hit 4 out, driven and outpaced after next, soon ridden, never on terms, lost modest 4th flat
held up in touch, tracked leaders from 7th, not fluent 15th, ridden to chase front pair before 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
always prominent, went 2nd 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to challenge flat, led closing stages, all out
in touch on outside, held up towards rear from 6th, lost touch after 4 out, pulled up before next
prominent to after 2nd, held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, never going pace to challenge, stayed on into never nearer 4th flat
Dinons has won three of his five chase starts but was pulled up on his last visit to this track in the Albert Bartlett. Aye Aye Charlie and Rockpoint were unplaced in that race but the latter will likely make a better chaser and has had wind surgery recently. Boyhood beat a decent field in a beginners’ chase at Newton Abbot in May and should have more to offer but WHOLESTONE looks the class act. The winner of the Relkeel Hurdle here last year, he was handed a maiden chase victory at Perth when his sole rival pulled up. He jumped left that day so will enjoy going that way around here and can defy his penalty. The market should be the best guide to the likes of Minella Warrior, Mulcahys Hill and Present Ranger.
Dinons (FR) 5-4fav (11-4) Made all, slightly slow at 5th, asserted straight, stayed on well, easily, won at Limerick 2m 4f hvy in Oct beating Mind's Eye (11-6) by 11l, 5 ran.
Boyhood (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led briefly 7th, pushed along before 2 out, in front again between last 2, driven and stayed on gamely run-in, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f (3) gs in May beating Truckers Lodge (10-12) by nk, 5 ran.
Wholestone (IRE) 1-6fav (11-2) Jumped left, led sole rival, mistake 9th, not fluent 11th, about 6 lengths clear when left alone 4 out, won at Perth 2m 4f (3) hvy in Sep
Aye Aye Charlie 33-1 (11-5) Held up behind, struggling before 2 out, ridden and stayed on into mid-division before last, never pace to get involved, 8th of 20, 25 1/2l behind Minella Indo (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Minella Warrior (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-12) Close up, headway to track leaders 8th, pushed along next, ridden and every chance from 2 out, driven to lead flat, ran on, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (2) sft in Mar beating Skipthescales (11-0) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Mulcahys Hill (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Slowly away, recovered to track leaders 3rd, left 2nd at 18th, lost place 5 out, weakened 3 out, beaten when fell next, at Cheltenham 4m (1) sft in Mar.
Present Ranger (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Made all, pushed along after 3 out, ridden before next, 4 lengths clear last, held on under pressure flat, all out, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Aug beating Finalshot (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Rockpoint 12-1 (11-4) Towards rear, hampered 3rd, struggling and behind 9th, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 18 3/4l behind Tobefair (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
