pressed leader, upsides 2nd, led narrowly 4th, blundered and headed 7th, close up 4 out, upsides travelling strongly before 2 out, ridden before last, disputed lead flat, just failed
held up towards rear, unseated rider 4th
tended to jump right, held up in touch, ridden after 8th, one pace before 3 out
held up towards rear, awkward 2nd, progress before 7th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
midfield, awkward 2nd, lost ground and in rear 6th, hit 8th and ridden, detached 4 out, well adrift from 3 out
held up in rear, headway 8th, fell 4 out
led, joined 2nd, headed but close up 4th, led 7th, not fluent 4 out, ridden and narrow advantage 3 out, joined 2 out, led again last, disputed lead flat, stayed on strongly close home, just prevailed
A useful hurdler, EDWARDSTONE makes his chasing bow on a pound lower mark and could be thrown in if taking to the larger obstacles. Fast Buck had decent form over timber in Ireland and still had every chance when falling two out on his first run over fences at Hereford while Vado Forte won as he liked here 17 days ago, though that was a first victory in nine in chases and he is 5lb higher today. Notre Pari has more scope than Ingleby Hollow but this is a very tough task for Bangor winner Est Illic from 9lb out of the handicap.
Fast Buck (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Sat outside leader until taking it up after 3 out, travelling strongly when knuckled on landing and fell next, at Hereford 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Edwardstone 13-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, kept on flat, unable to challenge, 5th of 14, 7 1/2l behind The Shunter (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Notre Pari (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, slow 3rd, blundered 4 out, headway after 2 out, no real impression, 5th of 8, 8 3/4l behind The Big Bite (11-12) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Vado Forte (FR) 4-1jfav (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, chased leader travelling strongly 3 out, eased into lead last, ridden clear flat, won at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Solar Impulse (10-10) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Admiral Barratry (FR) 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division on outside, lost place before 3 out, soon beaten, 14th of 21, dist behind Three Musketeers (10-5) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Ingleby Hollow 40-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, modest headway 4 out, jumped left 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 5, 12 3/4l behind Cheddleton (11-4) at Carlisle 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Est Illic (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Led, asked to quicken approaching 2 out, pushed after 2 out, kept on well under mainly hands and heels, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Duhallow Lad (11-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
