held up, mistake 8th, pushed along after 12th, soon tailed off and pulled up
prominent, mistake 2nd, led 4th, hit 15th, headed 3 out, weakened next
held up mid-division, blundered 10th, weakened from 4 out
held up, fell 2nd
held up mid-division, headway 16th, in 5th and one pace when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
led to 4th, chased leaders, weakened 6 out
held up, not fluent 6th and 7th, weakened 11th, pulled up after 14th
prominent, went 2nd approaching 16th, led 3 out, headed last, rallied to regain lead towards finish
chased leaders, with leader 5th, led last, headed towards finish
held up, reminders 9th, weakened approaching 6 out
held up, pushed along approaching 12th, tailed off 15th
in rear, headway 3 out, kept on same pace from last
Nonrunner
MASTER OVERSEER has obvious claims of landing this valuable prize and is put forwards ahead of Tarquinius and Pipo De Re. Tarquinius appears to be the ideal sort for this test having run well at Warwick last time but his yard is struggling for winners at present so he's passed over as a result. Pipo De Re is still a maiden over fences but he has run with credit on a number of occasions and may be the type to appreciate this sort of thorough test and he's relatively unexposed. Temoin has the class to win from his revised mark but he's difficult to predict at best, Enroblim Trop went close in the Kent National behind a progressive sort in February and has claims but his jumping isn't always fluent and he could face competition for the lead from Radetsky March. Petite Margot isn't the biggest and could struggle under the weight whilst Present M'Lord will need a career best from his revised mark following his win at Exeter where Shaka's Pearl was fourth and Notabotheronme pulled up. Kawagino remains well handicapped on his excellent hurdle form and appeared to get three miles well enough although the race was rather gifted to him. Master Overseer had been struggling to confirm the impression that he made in a bumper on debut but he has returned to action this season looking an improved performer. He's 18lbs higher than for the first of those successes but is a progressive performer who may be up to the task.
Petite Margot 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 9th, 9th of 11, 47l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec '08.
Radetsky March (IRE) 28-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, reminders approaching 6th, led 8th, headed well before 2 out, beaten before last, 2nd of 14, 21l behind Le Beau Bai (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
Present M'lord (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) (limited comments due to very poor visibility) In touch approaching 1st, 4th approaching 4 out, in lead last, all out, won at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec beating Lavenoak Lad (10-0) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Kawagino (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, challenged 14th, disputing lead and travelling well, when left 6 lengths clear 4 out, came clear and in no danger after next, eased flat, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec beating Giolla De (11-4) by 22l, 8 ran.
Teeming Rain (IRE) 22-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, hit 1st, given reminders, jumped left 4th, headway when not fluent 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Le Beau Bai (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Whatever Next (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Led 2nd, headed 12th, chased leaders, hit 14th, soon ridden and lost place, weakened 16th, tailed off, 5th of 6, 39l behind Knighton Combe (11-6) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Enroblim Trop (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Made all, driven and quickened after 3 out, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Nov beating Mr Big (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Master Overseer (IRE) 5-6fav (10-10) Held up, took closer order to track leaders 7th, left in lead 11th, joined 4 out, soon ridden, asserted from 2 out, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec beating Skipper's Lad (11-4) by 7l, 7 ran.
Tarquinius (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Led to 2nd, led 6th to 8th, chased leader, led last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Fine By Me (9-13) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Pipo De Re (FR) 2-1fav (10-7) Tracked leader, led 13th, headed next, tracked leader after, led again narrowly 3 out, soon driven along, headed flat and kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Ballyfoy (11-11) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Notabotheronme (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracking leaders approaching 1st, towards rear when stumbled approaching 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Present M'lord (11-7) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Shaka's Pearl 7-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear approaching 1st, tracking leaders 15th, 6th approaching 4 out, 4th last, 4th of 11, 7l behind Present M'lord (11-7) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Temoin 40-1 (11-12) Always prominent, slow 1st, led 3 out, soon hard driven, stayed on strongly (no time taken), won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Noakarad De Verzee (11-0) by 1l, 6 ran.
