held up, headway 10th, hit 12th, jumped slowly 14th, weakened 2 out
led, not fluent 4 out, ridden and headed last, no extra towards finish
mid-division, headway 6th, not fluent 9th, blundered next, went 2nd 13th, led last, driven out
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, lost place next, hampered 6th, mistake and hampered 10th, behind 11th, soon pulled up
held up, mistake 12th, headway next, every chance last, stayed on, held towards finish
tracked leader, hit brush upright 2nd, blundered badly and unseated rider 6th
mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 4th, left 2nd 6th, not fluent next, blundered 13th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, hampered 6th, blundered and unseated rider 10th
held up, not fluent1 st, headway 14th, weakened 2 out
Satou's latest win at Towcester came over a shorter trip but he did score over 3m1f at Sandown earlier and should be thereabouts here. Rhum also warrants a second look, despite picking up a penalty for his maiden victory over fences at Ffos Las, while Irish raiders Selection Box and Cottage Oak have the past form to figure. Tyrone House has failed to build on a successful reappearance at Wetherby, however, and Summery Justice would need a return to his very best to score off this mark. BLENHEIM BROOK never featured in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham but can be forgiven that run. His earlier defeat of Lie Forrit at Kelso was a commendable effort and, with conditions in his favour again, he is fancied to defy top weight here as he's the choice of Peter Buchanan ahead of stablemates Go Silver Bullet and Et Maintenant.
Blenheim Brook (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon behind, 10th of 19, 47l behind Teaforthree (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m am nov chs (2) gd in Mar.
Tyrone House (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, weakened before 11th, hampered 2 out, 7th of 10, 31l behind Tartan Snow (10-2) at Kelso 2m 6f Am hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Summery Justice (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Prominent to 3rd, soon behind, struggling from 10th, tailed off, 18th of 23, well behind Sunnyhillboy (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd in Mar.
Selection Box (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Attempted to make all, ridden and headed last, kept on run-in, no extra close home and lost 2nd, 4th of 9, 4l behind Duroob (9-7) at Downpatrick 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 gd in Mar.
Cottage Oak (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden in moderate 7th and no impression entering straight, 6th 2 out, kept on one pace from before last, 4th of 15, 32l behind Mister Farmer (9-12) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 gs.
Rhum (FR) 17-2 (10-12) Jumped right and raced wide, made virtually all, ridden and pressed betwen last 2, stayed on gamely and drew clear before last, won at Ffos Las 3m nov chs (4) gd beating Five Star Wilsham (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Satou (FR) 7-2fav (10-12) Chased leader until 2nd prominent, left 2nd and hampered 7th, mistake 10th, every chance 2 out, switched left before last, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar beating Present To You (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Go Silver Bullet (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 4th, not fluent, reminders and lost place next, last 7th, not fluent 10th, weakened 13th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Sotovik (10-4) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in May, 9 ran.
Et Maintenant (FR) 4-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 6, 14l behind Merigo (11-12) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Mar.