in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leaders and always going well, led approaching 2 out, ridden after last, kept on
headed 4th, weakened 11th
towards rear, pulled up approaching 9th
in touch, headway 10th, led 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, kept on
towards rear and hampered 1st, close to order 8th, weakened 11th
always in rear
prominent, mistake 2nd, led 4th, headed 4 out, one pace
in rear, driven 4th, tailed off when pulled up after 10th
mid-division, bumped 1st, ridden and headway 11th, kept on, not reach winner
mid-division to rear, jumped badly right first ridden from 12th, kept on moderately
Matt The Thrasher is given another chance, while Iris's Prince and Dun Doras are both effective at this level and are respected as dangers. The same can be said of Guilt, who has claims on the pick of his Irish form and he is worth noting in the betting. Dun Doras won a Hunters Chase here last May and should enjoy the conditions. However, he does look weighted to the hilt and needs everything to go his way. Iris's Prince is holding his form well just now and has to merit a second look. He is well treated off his current mark and will be a big run can be expected. However, Matt The Thrasher is better than he consented to show last time out and, as he still has scope for further progress, the German-bred gelding just gets the nomination on this occasion.
Matthew Muroto (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Led until ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 17l behind Petitjean (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Smart Cavalier 4-1jt-fav (10-13) Led 2nd, headed 7th, weakened and pulled up 5 out in race won by Terre De Java (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd, 8 ran.
Koumba (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Led, hit 12th, headed 13th, weakened after 15th, 7th of 9, 31l behind New Perk (10-9) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Joizel (FR) 10-1 (10-8) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 18, 34l behind Wild Tonto (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Matt The Thrasher (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Held up behind leaders, ridden after 15th, weakened 4 out, 3rd of 5, 41l behind Radcliffe (10-5) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Dun An Doras (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) In rear, ridden 10th, soon lost touch and pulled up 5 out in race won by Nice Try (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
Guilt 5-1 (10-6) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden 7th, soon outpaced, beaten 4 out, 5th of 6, 32l behind Offemont (11-7) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Saucy Night 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden 13th, weakened 5 out, 12th of 13, well behind Martha's Kinsman (11-6) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Monsieur Villez (FR) 14-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden after 10th, soon weakened, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Even More (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Iris's Prince 3-1jt-fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 10th, blundered 5 out, stayed on well from last, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Mighty Moose (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Alcatras (IRE) 15-2 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden 12th, weakened next, 6th of 11, 25l behind Ma Furie (11-11) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Alfadora 3-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, closer order 9th, ridden 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up 3 out in race won by Cetti's Warbler (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 (4) sft in Mar, 12 ran.
Toms Gone Grey (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden after 11th, soon weakened and pulled up in race won by Tradingup (10-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Feb, 12 ran.