tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed approaching last, well held in clear 2nd flat
chased leaders, mistake 6th, in rear when mistake 10th, chased leaders again when hampered 4 out, soon outpaced, disputed modest 3rd when mistake 2 out, no chance after
tracked leaders, went 2nd when mistake 4 out, effort when mistake next, soon ridden, led approaching last, clear flat, kept on well
led to 2nd, with leader, lost place 4 out, outpaced next, kept on in modest 3rd from last, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders, reminders after 13th, ridden and one pace after 3 out, never on terms, weakened last, tailed off
held up in touch, struggling before 5 out, soon lost touch, continued tailed off
David Pipe won this a couple of years ago and RAMSES DE TEILLEE was so impressive on his chasing debut at Chepstow that even a mammoth 15lb rise in the weights is unlikely to prevent a double. The winning margin was exaggerated by very testing ground but he's gone well on good going so should go in again. Mendip Express ran in all the major hunter chase events last season and performed with credit in them all, especially when beaten a neck at Punchestown in April. He'll have bigger targets than this and goes very well fresh so must be a threat with his rider's allowance a bonus. Leo Luna won twice here in 2015 and was runner-up in this a year ago but hasn't run subsequently. Get On The Yager, a dual winner between the flags and three times a hurdles winner, has been a beaten favourite in both starts over fences and will need to do much better while Fergal Mael Duin started joint favourite for the Southern National here last month but made too many mistakes. Howlongisafoot won a Stratford handicap from this mark in March but has been in poor form recently.
Ramses De Teillee (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 10th, made rest, clear when blundered 3 out, unchallenged, eased flat, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Baron Du Plessis (10-6) by 17l, 12 ran.
Mendip Express (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Led, headed 6th, regained lead 4 out, headed next, ridden and disputed lead again 2 out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Balnaslow (12-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f gf in Apr.
Get On The Yager 7-4fav (11-8) In rear, effort 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 21l behind Wolf Sword (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Leo Luna 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged 4 out, every chance 2 out, kept on from last, held by winner, 2nd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Adam du Breteau (11-8) at Fontwell 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Fergal Mael Duin 5-1jfav (10-12) Behind, headway from 5 out, soon challenged, weakened before last, 6th of 10, 19 1/4l behind Cresswell Breeze (11-7) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Howlongisafoot (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Never travelled in rear, headway into 5th 9th, left modest 4th next, dropped to 5th last strides, 5th of 8, dist behind Master Burbidge (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
