in rear, not always fluent, tailed off after 11th, pulled up before 14th
chased leaders on outside, lost place 3rd, struggling after 6th, jumped left 8th, mistake and behind 9th, pulled up before 14th
chased leaders, lost place 5th, driven 14th, behind 16th, tailed off
chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 11th, behind 14th, pulled up before 2 out
led, jumped right at times, went badly right 15th and 16th, headed before last, rallied flat, led last strides
held up towards rear, headway before 11th, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, no impression last, no extra flat
mid-division, headway 7th, not fluent 11th, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, driven flat, headed last strides
in rear, tailed off 10th, pulled up before 14th
mid-division, headway 5th, outpaced by leaders from 4 out, weakened before last
pressed leader, jumped left at times, mistake 10th, lost 2nd 13th, lost place 15th, mistake and weakened next, mistake and unseated rider 4 out
held up, blundered 10th, mistake 16th, modest 6th 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
prominent, went 2nd 13th until after 3 out, hampered just before next, weakened last
held up towards rear, headway 11th, lost action and pulled up after 16th
PAINT THE CLOUDS had limitations exposed to an extent when third in the Cheltenham Foxhunters behind On The Fringe. But it was still a commendable effort, followed by an even more meritorious performance behind Just A Par when beaten less than five lengths in the last big chase of the jumps campaign, the bet365 Gold Cup Chase at Sandown. It's hard to imagine any of his rivals matching that level of form in open handicap company of such a standard and hopefully he's had enough time to recover from those Esher exertions. He's the one to beat back in hunter chase company with stamina assured. Quinz and Moroman lock horns again after finishing one-two at Cheltenham's hunter chase evening and merit respect, whilst Chosen Milan, also a winner on that card, could be in the shake-up in receipt of the sex allowance. She's a useful mare on her day. Others to note in a fine renewal are Twirling Magnet, Let's Get Serious and likeable veteran Major Malarkey who is absolutely certain to stay.
Divine Intavention (IRE) 5-4fav (12-4) Tracked leader, one pace in 3rd from 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Parkam Jack (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 4f hts chs (6) gf.
Findlay's Find (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Prominent, pushed along when not fluent 12th, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 8, 14l behind Current Event (12-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp hts chs (4) gs.
Lets Get Serious (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Made virtually all, hit 3rd and 5th, came clear after 3 out, easily, won at Fontwell 3m 4f hts chs (6) gs beating Doctor Kingsley (11-7) by 19l, 11 ran.
Major Malarkey (IRE) 11-4 (11-13) Held up behind, headway and in touch 17th, driven to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on next, ridden to lead narrowly flat, just held on, won at Cheltenham 4m 1f hts chs (4) gs in Apr beating Alskamatic (11-10) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Moroman (IRE) 11-4fav (12-1) Led, not fluent 17th, joined 2 out, headed approaching last, ridden and kept on same pace, held flat, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Quinz (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gs in Apr.
Pacha Du Polder (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, led 9th, pressed from 2 out, joined last, headed before elbow, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 29, 4l behind On The Fringe (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs in Apr.
Paint The Clouds 13-2fav (9-11) In touch on inside, pushed along in 3rd after 4 out, led approaching and blundered 3 out, headed next, soon dropped to 3rd, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, 4th of 20, 5l behind Just A Par (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Pentiffic (NZ) 16-1 (11-9) Soon behind, stayed on into modest 5th after last, never near leaders, tailed off, 5th of 15, 45l behind Major Malarkey (11-13) at Cheltenham 4m 1f hts chs (4) gs in Apr.
Quinz (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 10th, upsides 2 out, ridden to lead before last, clear when idled flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gs in Apr beating Moroman (12-1) by 4l, 10 ran.
Sir Du Bearn (FR) 11-10fav (12-0) (cp) led 3; qcknd clr 2 out; easy, won at Gelligaer Farmers 3m ptp gd beating Rosies Peacock (12-0) by 20l, 5 ran.
Temple Grandin (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mistake 1st, mid-division, close up 6th, ridden and one pace in 3rd after 3 out, kept on from next, no impression, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Quinz (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gs in Apr.
Twirling Magnet (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Mid-division, headway 14th, in 5th place when blundered last, one pace, 6th of 29, 32l behind On The Fringe (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs in Apr.
Chosen Milan (IRE) 4-6fav (11-7) Mistake 1st, tracked leaders, mistake 9th, led 5 out, 2 lengths clear when not fluent and went left last, soon ridden and hard pressed, kept on flat, just held on, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f mares hunt chs (4) gs in Apr beating Roseyroo (11-5) by nk, 7 ran.
