slightly hampered 1st, slithered on landing and unseated rider next
prominent, led 5th until 8th, ridden 13th, one pace approaching last
prominent, led 4th until next, hit 9th and dropped to last, not fluent next, losing touch when mistake 13th, tailed off
prominent when blundered 1st, last when stumbled and hampered next, closed 9th, ridden 13th, stumbled 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
prominent until not fluent 2nd, tracked leaders, improved to lead when not fluent, stumbled and headed 2 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra final 150 yards
led, stumbled 2nd, headed 4th, led 8th, headed briefly 2 out, driven flat, stayed on well
OFAREL D'AIRY has to shoulder lumps of weight but he's the class act here and can do so successfully; Burntoakboy can beat Gentle George in the battle for minor honours. Our selection used to be with Paul Nicholls for whom he won three of these races. The two occasions he failed to oblige include a poor effort in the Cheltenham Hunters' Chase when he failed to jump with any fluency, but generally he's been a reliable and consistent sort who is a fair bit better than most horses seen in these affairs. All ground comes alike and he has the assistance of the excellent Ollie Greenall in the saddle so, whilst we shouldn't hope for much of a price, he looks set to score. Burntoakboy comes with risks attached as he had one start in 2009 and was pulled up. That said, he relishes this sort of trip on soft ground and having placed in competitive handicaps off marks in the 120's he should have the ability to get involved if still consenting. Gentle George is a winning pointer who showed promise when second at Leicester and he's got the potential to improve past some of these, so if Burntoakboy has indeed gone at the game he might take second. Little Rocker has a bit to find on figures but they don't always count for what they should in these races, although it has to be said this ground surely isn't ideal. Blaze Ahead hasn't won for approaching two years and shouldn't be good enough whilst Andsosaysallofus was pulled up when last seen in 2007. Ofarel D'airy may well be the best hunter chaser seen out this season and he can win this with something in hand.
Ofarel D'airy (FR) 7-2fav (12-7) Held up, hit 9th, ridden after next, headway when hit 12th, led 3 out, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hunt ch hcap (4) gf in May beating Man From Highworth (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 40-1 (12-5) (cp) led to 5; outpcd 13, 4th of 13, 23l behind Roulez Cool (12-5) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Little Rocker (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, jumped left, hit 6th, driven 16th, stayed on one pace to go 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Tikram (11-11) at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) gd in May.
Ben Ryan (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Prom to 10, 6th of 16, 37l behind Jacko's Boy (12-0) at Whitfield 3m ptp gs.
Burntoakboy (12-7) Held up; led app 12; v easy, won at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp in Dec beating Haggle Twins (12-0) by 5l, 6 ran.
Gentle George 5-2fav (12-3) With leader, led 7th, mistake next, hit 11th, hung left after 2 out, hard ridden flat, headed close home, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Oopsmylord (11-10) at Leicester 2m 7f hts chs (6) gd in Feb '09.
Andsosayallofus (IRE) 2-1 (12-7) Made most to 13; to & pu 3 out, in a race won by Sha Bihan (12-7) at High Easter 3m ptp in Mar, 4 ran.
