tracked leaders, ridden after 13th, stayed on same pace from 4 out, went 3rd 2 out
whipped round start and reluctant to race, raced a fence behind, pulled up before 10th
jumped left, led until 3rd, prominent until weakened approaching 10th, behind when not fluent next, pulled up before 12th
in rear, headway on inside 11th, weakened approaching 4 out
in rear, reminders after 7th, behind 9th, plugged on from 4 out, went 5th approaching 2 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, ridden 13th, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, headway 7th, went 3rd after 13th, mistake 4 out, went 2nd next, challenging when bumped just after 2 out, led last, stayed on well
mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway 7th, went 2nd 9th (water) until 3 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, lost place and ridden when mistake 6th, soon behind, pulled up after 9th (water)
mid-division, reminders after 4th, not fluent 5th, headway 10th, weakened 4 out
in rear, mistake 1st, well behind 4th, blundered 8th, mistake 10th, stayed on passed beaten horses from 4 out, never dangerous
jumped left, with leader, led 3rd, mistakes 11th and 13th, mistake 2 out, headed last, one pace flat
Double Mead was rated 120 over fences last season and has done well on the point-to-point circuit this winter. He had few problems landing his first hunters chase at Towcester a couple of weeks ago and should go well. I HAVE DREAMED also made a winning start in this sphere at Kempton last month and this one-time useful chaser can build on that success and complete a double. Hivikos hasn't been seen since landing a hunter's event at Aintree last May when three of his four opponents came to grief. Otage De Brion looked very promising when landing two novice chases at Bangor last spring but hasn't done as well as expected between the flags this winter nor has Cedrus Libani, though he's likely to have been warming up for this which he won last year.
Almaydan 16-1 (11-13) In touch, went 3rd 7th, chased winner 12th, no impression when weakened to 3rd flat, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Just Amazing (12-4) at Sandown 2m 4f hts chs (5) gs in Feb.
Cedrus Libani (IRE) 8-1 (12-5) Led to 16; btn aft 3 out; eased, 5th of 7, 31l behind Kornati Kid (12-5) at Ampton 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Otage De Brion (FR) 8-11 (12-7) Led 4-13; wknd 2 out, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Pocket Park (12-0) at Tweseldown 3m ptp gd.
William Bonney (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 48l behind Sun Quest (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar '10.
Emotional Article (IRE) 5-1 (12-7) Eff 14; wknd nxt; pu 3 out, in a race won by Shouldhavehadthat (12-0) at Bangor-on-dee Points 3m ptp gs, 13 ran.
Hivikos (FR) 15-2 (11-9) Chased leader until 3rd and again after 8th, led before 10th, pressed 2 out, just under 2 lenghts ahead when left well clear last, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gd in May beating Oscar Royal (11-7) by well, 5 ran.
Double Mead 11-10fav (11-4) In rear, headway before 10th, hampered 11th, led 13th, clear before 2 out, eased flat, won at Towcester 2m 6f hts chs (6) gs beating Orient Legend (11-5) by 27l, 7 ran.
Caulkin (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up well in rear, hampered 5th, mistake 11th saddle slipped and pulled up soon after, in a race won by Enigma Variations (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gd, 12 ran.
Cheapside (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Always in rear, 6th of 11, well behind Takeroc (11-5) at Leicester 2m hts chs (6) gf.
Gem Mill (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Prom to 13, 5th of 9, 19l behind Bills Bank (12-0) at Bangor-on-dee Points 3m ptp gs.
Give Me Love (FR) 33-1 (11-3) Held up, closed on inside, 7th, 4th and pushed along approaching 11th, not fluent 13th, weakened after 15th, hit 4 out, 5th of 8, 49l behind The General Lee (11-3) at Ludlow 3m hts chs (6) gd.
McCauley (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mistake 1st, tracked winner on inside, mistakes 5th and 9th, lost place and mistake 3 out, 4th and beaten when hit next, 4th of 10, 23l behind My Way de Solzen (11-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd.
I Have Dreamed (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway 11th, chased leaders 4 out, led next, clear before 2 out, ran on strongly, impressive, won at Kempton 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd beating Sovereign King (11-7) by 30l, 9 ran.
