held up behind leaders, lost touch after 9th, tailed off
raced keenly, with leader until jumped slowly 5th, led after next, headed before 7th, hit 3 out, 3rd and weakening when pulled up before 2 out
led until after 6th, ridden and outpaced by front pair after 9th, rallied 3 out, left in lead and well clear 2 out
held up in last, raced keenly, went modest 4th 10th, left 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
prominent, joined leader 5th, led before 7th, 4 lengths clear when hit 2 out and unseated rider
held up behind leaders, lost touch after 9th, left poor 3rd 2 out
Nonrunner
ELEAZAR is selected to make a winning debut over fences, with Cruchain and the regressive French Saulaie the biggest dangers. French Saulaie has not won for two years, but ran some good races in defeat during the winter. However, his efforts recently have been very disappointing and a watching brief is advised. Cruchain, the mount of the champion jockey, will have plenty of supporters. This dual hurdle winner is making his chasing bow after a four month break. His hurdle form was useful, but he has a little to find with the selection on official ratings. Eleazar was given three runs over fences a couple of years ago but cut little ice. However, his form over hurdles has been very good recently in valuable contests and Eleazar looks capable of landing this event and getting off the mark over the bigger obstacles.
Blackanblue 16-1 (12-0) A bhnd; to & pu 14, in a race won by Babysitter (12-0) at Ashorne 3m ptp, 10 ran.
Cruchain (IRE) 15-2 (10-3) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 11th of 14, 46l behind Chief Yeoman (10-10) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl G3 (1) gs in Jan.
Eleazar (GER) 11-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, effort 2 out, ridden and one pace approaching last, 5th of 16, 8l behind Elzahann (10-5) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gd.
French Saulaie (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Classic Swain (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf, 8 ran.
Othermix (FR) 100-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, struggling on outside after 8th, eased and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Solwhit (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Signs of Love (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 12th, closing in 4th when unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Ordre de Bataille (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Dec, 10 ran.
Federstar (GER) 4-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden next, went poor 3rd 7th, no impression, 4th of 11, 44l behind Rio De Janeiro (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sell hdl (5) gd.
Premier Bleu (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Led, headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 7, 33l behind King Troy (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f nov stks (4) gs.
Tisfreetdream (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden 9th, weakened quickly, tailed off, 23rd of 24, well behind Made In Japan (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Chief Lady Olwyn 66-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, blundered 11th, not recovered and pulled up before 12th, in a race won by King Troy (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f nov stks (4) gs, 7 ran.
