held up towards rear, mistakes, well beaten 3 out, stayed on flat, never in contention
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, ridden and no impression last, weakened into 3rd close home
took keen hold, led until 3rd, pressed winner, mistake 8th, not fluent 14th, weakened from 3 out, blundered last, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 4 out, 4th and one pace 2 out, never able to get on terms with leaders
prominent until after 14th, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, struggling before 4 out, no chance when fell last
held up in rear, headway 14th, struggling 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, closed 5th, close 2nd 2 out, 3rd and one pace before last, stayed on take 2nd again close home but no chance with winner
mid-division, mistake 14th, outpaced after 14th, well held from 3 out, plugged on flat
led into start, soon close up, led 3rd, clear last, stayed on strongly
Alan Hill won this race last year and he can stage a repeat with SHARP SUIT. The seven-year-old has always been held in high regard by his trainer following a string of successes between the Flags, and he was able to translate that form to regulation fences at Cheltenham. The ground is a slight imponderable though his class should carry him through. Theatre Queen was also successful at the Cheltenham evening meeting and she sluiced home unchallenged in a mares event by a massive margin. A 7lb concession from the boys will prove helpful on this occasion. Chosen Milan, a third victor on that card also opposes. The softer going shouldn't be an issue for her as he was a ready winner on it at Newton Abbot. Fruit Fayre has been a revelation for connections this season and she ran out a worthy winner of the Charlie Brown Trophy at Kelso.
Bradley Brook (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 8th or 9th, mistake 10th, headway next, went 2nd 3 out, led last, cheekily, won at Exeter 3m hts chs (6) gd beating Sobre Tresor (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Following Dreams (IRE) 11-10 (12-5) Hdwy 4 out; 3rd & outpcd 2 out; pu & dism last, in a race won by Findlay's Find (12-5) at Worcestershire 3m 2f ptp gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Gale Force Oscar (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Held up in mid-division, headway 8th, blundered 9th, led 5 out, soon well clear, very easily, won at Chepstow 3m nov hts chs (5) gs in Apr beating Supreme Regime (11-5) by 20l, 14 ran.
Hameldown Tor 1-3 (12-0) Held up; hdwy 14; led nxt; drew clr 2 out; easy, won at Four Burrow 3m ptp gd beating Mr Redwood (12-0) by 10l, 6 ran.
John Daniell 5-4fav (11-7) Sweating, held up in rear, headway before 8th, lost place approaching 3 out, effort 3 out, shaken up and closed last, went 2nd close home, not able to get close enough to challenge winner, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Ladfromhighworth (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hts chs (6) gd.
Sharp Suit (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 16th, led after 3 out, went right next, soon ridden and hard pressed, headed narrowly flat, rallied to regain lead near finish, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gs in Apr beating Alskamatic (11-10) by nk, 11 ran.
Shy John 10-11fav (11-13) In rear, headway 13th, went 3rd before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 6l behind Coombe Hill (11-13) at Wincanton 3m 1f hts chs (6) gs in Apr.
Chosen Milan (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, in touch 9th, went 2nd after 11th, led when not fluent 16th, headed narrowly 3 out, ridden after next, regained lead last, stayed on flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f hts chs (4) gs in Apr beating Foundry Square (12-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Fruit Fayre 1-3 (12-0) Ap; led 8; lft clr 14; unchall, won at South Shropshire 3m ptp gf beating Piment D'estruval (12-7) by 25l, 5 ran.
Theatre Queen (IRE) Evensfav (11-8) In touch, switched outside before 3rd, went 2nd and challenged after 12th, led narrowly when not fluent and left clear 4 out, unchallenged after, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f mares hunt chs (4) gs in Apr beating Chesnut Annie (11-5) by 33l, 7 ran.
