chased leaders, slow 1st, went 2nd 5th, lost place 16th, struggling and behind 3 out, rallied before last, soon went 3rd, no impression on front pair
always in rear
held up towards rear, headway 15th, challenged 3 out, weakened before last
chased leaders, mistake 10th, went 2nd 13th, led before 3 out, headed last, outpaced by winner flat
led, several slow jumps early, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 2 out
held up towards rear, hampered and stumbled 4th, some headway but no impression 4 out, 5th after 2 out, went modest 4th flat
mid-division, not fluent 1st or 2nd, headway 7th, close enough in 4th 2 out, weakened before last
prominent on inside, not much room 1st, led 3rd, soon headed, not fluent 4th, pushed along after 16th, led last, stayed on well, won going away
not jump well, in touch, lost place 5th, in rear 7th, pulled up before 4 out
NonRunner
Several of these are professionally handled. Bob And Co was fancied for the Festival Hunters’ Chase but didn’t get far. West Approach doesn’t look the force of old but Not That Fuisse has won his last three and got the better of last year’s winner Law Of Gold last time at Fakenham. However, David Kemp’s has since run much better when just touched off over 4m at Cheltenham and he is 2-2 over this track and trip. Le Breuil enjoyed a confidence-boosting victory at Huntingdon and Dandy Dan won over a similar trip at Cheltenham but VAUCELET’s second to Billaway at Punchestown is the best form on offer and he won the novices’ event on this card last year.
Dandy Dan (IRE) 13-2 (12-4) Mid-division out wide, headway chasing leaders 8th, went 2nd 5 out, 5 lengths down 3 out, closer next, challenged and not fluent last, led run-in, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f (4) gd in Apr beating Caryto Des Brosses (12-1) by 6 1/2l, 11 ran.
Dieu Vivant (FR) 9-4 (12-2) Mostly last, went 2nd briefly 9th, stumbled 12th, outpaced and no chance from 15th, last of 3, dist behind Solomon Grey (11-12) at Ludlow 3m (4) gd in Apr.
Downtown Getaway (IRE) 4-9fav (12-6) Held up in touch, closed to challenge 2 out, led before last, clear flat, easily, won at Huntingdon 3m (6) gd in May beating Just Cause (11-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
Law Of Gold (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Many mistakes, held up off the pace towards rear, headway chasing leaders when hit 21st, hit 23rd, left in 4th place 4 out, 3rd before next, went 2nd before the last, strong challenge run-in, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Coup De Pinceau (12-2) at Cheltenham 4m (4) gd in Apr.
Le Breuil (FR) 4-5fav (11-12) Chased leader, took it up 6 out, increased tempo home turn, clear last, easily, won at Huntingdon 3m 7f (6) gd in May beating Green Winter (12-0) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Not That Fuisse (FR) 5-4 (12-6) In rear of chasing group, closed 11th, tracked leaders 14th, headway to lead approaching last, ridden and ran on, won at Fakenham 3m (5) gd in Apr beating Law Of Gold (12-6) by 4l, 5 ran.
Solomon Grey (FR) 9-2 (11-13) Never far away in 5th place, went 2nd at 7th, led 11th, made rest, over 3 lengths ahead at the last, driven and stayed on well run-in, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (5) gd in Apr beating Ami Desbois (11-13) by 5 1/2l, 11 ran.
Vaucelet (FR) Evensfav (12-0) Held up early, tracked leaders before 3rd, disputed before 7th, led 7th, pressed from 5 out, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and joined, slight mistake 2 out, soon narrowly headed, rallied and upsides when bad mistake last, soon headed, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Billaway (12-0) at Punchestown 3m Good - Yielding in Apr.
West Approach 3-1 (12-4) Took keen hold, chased leader, led after 4th, headed next, bumped 7th, led after 10th, headed after 4 out, beaten last, 2nd of 3, 6l behind Soldier Of Love (12-0) at Fontwell 3m 2f (6) gd in May.
Bob And Co (FR) 11-2 (12-0) Towards rear, not fluent 7th, fell 9th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gs in Mar.
