keen, chased leaders, headed 4th, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders to 13th, weakened quickly
held up, headway approaching 12th, close up when pulled up before 13th
mid-division, mistake 12th, weakened next
in touch, hit 15th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, clear when blundered last, ran on
mid-division, headway 11th, ridden after 4 out, weakened 3 out
led, hit 10th and 15th, headed 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 4th when blundered and unseated rider last
chased leader to 15th, weakened quickly, tailed off and pulled up before last
held up in rear, steady headway from 13th, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner
held up, headway 13th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, lost place when hit 4th, soon behind
Sleeping Night has been in great form and can score again at the expense of Lord Of The River, Zeta's River and Hours to name but three. Sleeping Night has been in terrific form in Hunter Chases this term, culminating in victory in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham, and lines up on a fair mark indeed here today, having been rated on 159 when fourth in the Martell Cup here three years ago. There was a school of thought that he would not get round at the Festival, but he dispelled those theories in fine style, and with Ruby Walsh now in the saddle, he should take the beating. Last year's winner Lord Of The River is on just a four-pound higher mark and has been running well of late, notably chasing home Juveigneur in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase at Cheltenham. A good run by the latter in the Topham earlier in the day will advertise his claims. Zeta's River bypassed Cheltenham and this lightly-raced sort has time on his side. He could be a future Grand National candidate and off 10 stone makes more appeal than stablemate Hours who has had plenty of chances in the past. Hand Inn Hand has topweight to overcome but the stable is in fair form so he should not be totally ruled out, but Sleeping Night has the form in the bag and can add to his spoils.
Hand Inn Hand 20-1 Keen, mid-division, headway 9th, hit 12th, ridden after 3 out, one pace flat, 4th of 12, 7l behind Thisthatandtother at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Mar.
Dark'n Sharp (GER) 10-1 Always behind, 11th of 12, well behind Olney Lad at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) sft in Feb.
Horus (IRE) 25-1 Mid-division, blundered 8th, headway 11th, not fluent next, stayed on strongly flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Supreme Prince at Newbury 2m 4f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Mar.
Sleeping Night (FR) 7-2fav In touch, headway 13th, went 3rd 16th, left 2nd 4 out, led well before 2 out, joined last, edged right, held on under pressure flat (saddle slipped), won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (B) gd in Mar beating Foly Pleasant by 3/4l, 24.
Zeta's River (IRE) 5-2fav Held up, steady headway 11th, led narrowly 2 out, hard pressed and kept narrow advantage, driven and held on well run-in, won at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Mar beating Harrycone Lewis by 1/2l, 14 ran.
