led until 13th, weakened approaching 4 out, blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 2 out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway approaching 11th, led 4 out, hit 3 out hard, headed next, held last
tracked leaders, pushed along 11th, weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leader, led 13th, headed 4 out, regained lead 2 out, stayed on dourly, ridden out
pulled hard, soon held up in 5th, jumped right 6th and 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway approaching 11th, lost place next, closed after 14th, weakened and pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
THEATRE DIVA is marginally preferred to Here's Johnny and Blaze Ahead. The mare was a ready winner at Larkhill on her most recent start seeing off the once useful rules performer, Gold Medallist. Prior to joining new connections, she was no slouch under rules having won six times and placed on a further 11 occasions. Here's Johnny fell in the Foxhunters at the Cheltenham Festival last week. Three miles is probably on the sharp side for him these days and it remains to be seen as to how much that fall has left upon his confidence. Blaze Ahead lowered the colours of Fundamentalist last time out. He showed a very willing attitude on that occasion and he will need to do so today under the penalty accrued for that success. Rockwithacaveman has questions to answer after an unexpected flop at Taunton. Orphelin Collonges should appreciate the likely surface though his recent form between the flags has been nothing to write home about. The market will give us most to think about and for the winner, we return to Theatre Diva.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) With leaders, led 5th, mistake 8th, headed narrowly next, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on under pressure to challenge last, edged left and led flat, held on, won at Towcester 2m 6f hts chs (6) gd beating Victree (11-9) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Theatre Diva (IRE) 4-5 (10-7) Led to 3; rnwd eff 13; led 2 out; comf, won at Larkhill 3m ptp in Feb beating Gold Medallist (11-0) by 8l, 7 ran.
Happy Shopper (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Led to 7; lost plce 10; lft 2nd 12; no ch 15, 2nd of 6, 30l behind Tallow Bridge (12-0) at Charlton Horethorne 3m ptp gd.
Here's Johnny (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, fell 9th, in a race won by Baby Run (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs, 24 ran.
Jolly Boys Outing (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Held up; hdwy 11; led 3 out; stayed on wl, won at Horseheath 3m ptp in Feb beating Exceptionnel (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Lagosta (SAF) 33-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, badly hampered by faller and brought down 9th, in a race won by Oranger (11-9) at Stratford 2m 7f nov hts chs (5) gf, 13 ran.
Rockwithacaveman (IRE) 8-13fav (11-10) Tracked winner until 12th, chased winner again after 3 out, ridden and stayed on near finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Novi Sad (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) gf.
Orphelin Collonges (FR) 2-1 (12-7) Cl 3rd 3 out; v one-pcd, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Miss Lightning (11-7) at Whitwick Manor 3m ptp in Feb.
