tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and pressed from 2 out, kept on run-in
towards rear, pushed along before 12th, went a poor 3rd before 2 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 6th, reminders before 8th, hit 11th, never dangerous
in rear, pushed along before 7th, weakened from next
led, jumped left 1st, blundered and headed 4 out, soon weakened
in touch in 4th, challenged 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, held run-in
There may only be six runners in this but it's not an easy puzzle to solve. Ballyegan has suddenly got his act together and seeks a hat-trick under a penalty. The ex-Alan King-trained Forresters Folly left previous chase form behind when winning at Huntingdon but Uhlan Bute hasn't really taken to the larger obstacles so far and Olympian Boy has been better over hurdles lately. BRAVO RIQUET found 2m too short at Leicester last time but wasn't disgraced and has been in good form overall since the turn of the year. He can make the most of the 5lb he receives from the consistent-but-luckless Brody Bleu
Brody Bleu (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Race wide and jumped right, chased leader, made most from 9th until ridden and headed 2 out, no impression when dropped to 3rd before the last, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Representingceltic (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Uhlan Bute (FR) 7-1 (10-12) In rear, reminders after 6th, jumped slow 7th, tailed off and pulled up 10th, in a race won by Gallery Exhibition (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
Bravo Riquet (FR) 11-10fav (11-8) Chased leaders, led 4th, headed after 5 out, rallied last, stayed on strongly closing stages, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Kerryhead Storm (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs.
Forresters Folly 20-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along to lead 2 out, pressed last, just held on post, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd beating Popaflora (11-10) by shd, 6 ran.
Ballyegan (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Made all, jumped left 1st and next, not fluent last, kept on well run-in, won at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs beating Green Du Ciel (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Olympian Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, closer on outside 9th, ridden along in 7th after 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 4th approaching last, kept on run-in, no chance with easy winner, 4th of 12, 22l behind Follow The Tracks (10-3) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.
