made all, dived at 4th, hit 12th, in command 3 out, clear when hit next, stayed on and always doing enough flat, driven out
chased winner throughout, dived at 4th, mistake next, pushed along to challenge before 4 out, held next, driven and stayed on flat, always held
held up in 3rd, not fluent 9th, pushed along outpaced and no chance after 14th
Nonrunner
A small but competitive contest in which all four can be considered with some confidence. However, Restless Harry is passed over as he appears far less consistent over fences than was the case over timber. The choice is REAL MILAN for Donald McCain, who will find this far easier than when well beaten in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival behind Lord Windermere and co. Put a line through his previous unfortunate experience at Ascot and concentrate on two impressive victories over fences the twice before. He receives 7lb from Danimix and can get back on track here. The latter is an improving young fencer but does appear to face a tough task at the weights and upped in grade. Karen McLintock is 3-12 with her chasers this year and it would be folly to rule out her progressive Nodforms Violet.
Danimix (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd or 16th, led before 3 out, soon clear, easily, won at Wincanton 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Mar beating Palace Jester (11-0) by 28l, 4 ran.
Real Milan (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) In touch on outside, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden and lost place after next, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Lord Windermere (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Restless Harry 40-1 (11-6) In touch in mid-division, reminder and lost place after 5th, not fluent and behind from 8th, tailed off, 12th of 20, well behind Rajdhani Express (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Listed Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (5yo+) (1) sft in Mar.
Nodforms Violet (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, fell 10th, in a race won by Benny Be Good (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
