always behind
prominent until weakened 19th
in touch, steady headway from 13th, challenging when not fluent 2 out, soon no extra under pressure
prominent to 16th, soon behind
behind, mistake 16th, soon no chance
mid-division, driven along and lost place when blundered 13th
in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
always in rear, blundered 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
behind, not fluent 3rd, no headway from 18th
prominent to 15th, soon weakened
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, behind from 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 17th
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 17th, challenged going well 2 out, soon led, driven and drew clear run in
held up behind, steady headway from 17th, effort and hard ridden 3 out, soon no impression
prominent until blundered 4 out, weakened
behind, kept on from 4 out, not pace to challenge
in touch, chased leader from 15th, hard ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 5th and held when blundered 2 out
led, clear from 15th, ridden 3 out, headed soon after next, no extra run in
chased leaders to 13th, hampered before 15th, soon behind
The first five home in the William Hill Chase at the festival meet again here in a very competitive first running of this race for the new sponsors. With Carbury Cross and Frenchman's Creek looking the pick at the weights. The former was travelling ominously well in the Scottish National at Ayr last Saturday and would have surely been involved in the finish if he had not unshipped his rider at the 20th fence. However, he has a little to make up on his Festival conqueror, Frenchman's Creek, who has been kept a fresh horse for this race. Ad Hoc also has a bit to find on that running and it is unlikely that he will find himself with such a strong looking lead as he did in last year's renewal, and he will have to put in a lifetime best to overcome the burden of his big weight. The Martin Pipe-trained pair You're Agoodun and Royal Predica could represent some each way value, whilst it will not have escaped the attention of the market that Tony McCoy has chosen to partner Bounce Back. The 2000 winner of this race, Beau also comes into the argument on the pick of his form but he is prone to jumping errors and this seasons form on the whole is less than inspiring in the context of this race. Supreme Charm could also give a good account of himself at decent odds but Frenchman's Creek is a marginal preferrance of those at the head of the betting.
