mid-division, ridden when lost place after 9th, behind when pulled up before 11th
held up, headway 11th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up, blundered 5th, pushed along 11th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, not fluent and lost place 3rd, behind when reminders after 5th, mistake 7th, soon pulled up
prominent, ridden after 12th, soon weakened
prominent, jumped slowly 9th, left in lead approaching 10th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon beaten
jumped left, led, clear 7th, reluctant to race and headed approaching 10th, behind when mistake 3 out, took moderate 4th run-in
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly
in touch, headway approaching 12th, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on
The Bushkeeper was having his first start since winning the 2002 Kim Muir when falling in this year's renewal behind stablemate Juveigneur and Nicky Henderson's gelding is probably best watched in a race where preference is for Grey Report, who gets the verdict over Bee An Bee. The selection is not the most straightforward of rides and backers will undoubtedly have their hearts in their mouths when the gelding passes the paddock as he often tries to run out but Richard Johnson gets on well with the eight-year-old, who looks to be well-handicapped on his hurdles form. Bee An Bee is an obvious danger on the evidence of his last time out second to Red Devil Robert at Newbury but has gone up another 4lbs for that, while Spring Grove looks to be in the grip of the handicapper at present. John Best's Avalanche is gradually slipping to a fair mark but as given little sign of encouragement of late and preference is for Grey Report in the hope that he is on his best behaviour today.
Avalanche (FR) 14-1 Always behind, 10th of 14, 49l behind Tikram at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd.
Kock de La Vesvre (FR) 11-2 Tracked leaders, led 12th, ridden 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Perth 3m hcp chs (B) sft beating It Takes Time by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Spring Grove (IRE) 15-2 Behind, stayed on from 4 out, ran on well flat, not pace to reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Lords Best at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd.
The Bushkeeper (IRE) 16-1 In touch, headway to track leader 14th, 2nd when blundered and fell 3 out in race won by Juveigneur at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Black Frost (IRE) 33-1 Held up, lost place 11th, ridden approaching 14th, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Run For Paddy at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Mar.
A Piece of Cake (IRE) 66-1 Prominent, weakened 19th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Joes Edge at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd, 20 ran.
Grey Report (IRE) 5-2 Made virtually all, hit 2nd, jumping mostly left, mistake 2 out, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (D) sft in Mar beating Tom Fruit by 9l, 10 ran.
Bee An Bee (IRE) 4-1 Chased leaders, joined leaders 3 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on but no extra run-in, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Red Devil Robert at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs.
Trust Fund (IRE) 33-1 Chased leaders, mistake 11th, led 5 out, ridden and headed 4 out, mistake 3 out, no impression when mistake last, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Glen Warrior at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (B) gs in Mar.
Cassia Heights 33-1 Chased leaders, left moderate 2nd 16th, kept on well to hold 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 13l behind Lords Best at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd.
