chased leaders, not fluent and unseated rider 2nd
led until just before 3 out, weakened approaching next
always well in rear, well beaten when mistake 3 out
chased leaders, hampered 2nd, pushed along and lost place when mistake 5th, soon well behind
chased leader, led and carried right by loose horse just before 3 out, clear from 2 out, easily
chased leaders, shaken up when not clear run briefly on bend before 2 out, soon beaten
held up, went 4th when not fluent 4th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up, not fluent 1st, ridden 6th, in touch 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out, went 3rd last
Rivaliste has never run over hurdles in this country and has probably been a few pounds high over fences since his winning debut for Paul Nicholls. Dream Esteem is another who has struggled at the weights after her maiden success at Ffos Las over a year ago but Gifted Leader is now back on a lenient mark and his best recent run came on similar ground to todays. TATISPOUT and Altan Khan occupied the places behind Remember Now over the C&D last month with the former being beaten only a short-head. The pair are progressing nicely and Charlie Longsdon's four-year-old gets the nod to go one better.
Rivaliste (FR) 6-1 (11-9) With leader, blundered 1st, led 5th and not fluent, blundered and headed 6 out, mistake 3 out, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Elite Land (10-9) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.
Ellerslie Tom 125-1 (10-6) Led narrowly to 4th, with leader, lost place approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 22nd of 26, well behind Final Approach (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Bocamix (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, ridden and weakened quickly after 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Double Eagle (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
Kingsben 25-1 (10-12) In rear, mistake 4th, not fluent and behind 9th, 8th of 9, 48l behind Have You Seen Me (11-0) at Towcester 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Gifted Leader (USA) 9-2 (11-9) Held up mid-division, one pace in 5th when jumped left 2 out, 5th of 10, 16l behind Valid Point (10-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
King's Revenge 16-1 (10-1) Close up, hampered 3rd, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 30l behind Via Galilei (10-12) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Altan Khan 6-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 2 out, in 3rd and one pace when hit last, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Remember Now (11-2) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Tatispout (FR) 5-2fav (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway on inner before 2 out, chased winner and hung left before last, led narrowly flat, kept on and headed close home, 2nd of 11, shd behind Remember Now (11-2) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Crazy Bold (GER) 11-1 (10-6) In touch in mid-division, pulled hard, hit 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Tricky Tree (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Dream Esteem 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Blue Nymph (11-5) at Doncaster 2m mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
