Cheltenham Races

Towards rear - not fluent and jockey lost iron briefly 3 out - headway 2 out - went fourth before last where not fluent - kept on (inquiry held into running and riding; jockey stated that his instructions were to sit midfield and to try and get gelding jumping - having felt he lost his confidence after falling in his previous run at Ascot - adding that he had formed this opinion having schooled gelding at home; he reported that he made a mistake at 3rd last fence - causing him to lose his left iron - and having regained his stirrup found himself stuck to the inside - leaving him unable to improve his position until after 2nd last fence; he added thathe felt in top gear throughout the race and that gelding's jumping had suffered late on as a result - leading him to jumping last fence slowly; he finished by stating that when taking all of the above into account - he felt that his hands and heels riding up the straight led to him obtaining best possible placing; his explanation was noted)(op 13/2)

Prominent - dropped to midfield 3rd - headway 2 out - soon no impression

In rear - slow jump 2nd - headway on outer when mistake 3 out - soon pressed leaders - weakened before last(op 11/1 tchd 14/1)

Held up in rear - headway 4 out - 3 lengths down when bad mistake 3 out - weakened 2 out(op 18/1)

Prominent - jumped left 13th - jumped left and lost third 2 out - soon weakened (trainer's rep said gelding was unsuited by the soft - good to soft in places going on this occasion - and would prefer a quicker surface)(tchd 14/1)

Prominent - not fluent 11th - weakened before 2 out(op 33/1)

Led - joined and not fluent 10th - mistake 11th - headed just before 2 out - soon weakened (trainer's rep could offer no explanation for the poor form shown)(op 10/3 tchd 4/1)

Midfield - jumped right 1st - headway and prominent 3rd - hit 8th - not fluent 10th - weakened 3 out - in rear when pulled up 2 out(op 7/1)