Gunner Welburn held by Sheltering (Ire) when falling at the last in the Hunter Chase at the Punchestown Festival last year, is still on the upgrade as evidenced by its impressive Fox Hunters win at Aintree from Secret Bay. It is a pity that they will probably not meet this season.

In the Novices Hunter Chase on Grand National day there was a shock winner in Rainbow Times (Ire) who was admirably ridden by Miss S Forster, who steered a wide course in search of better ground for most of the way. Both the second and third Kildorragh (Ire) and Here Comes Henry continue to progress.

Blanville (Fr) has the benefit of being trained by Martin Pipe now and it certainly showed with an easy victory at Newbury on 7 April. With opportunities lacking due to the foot and mouth crisis, an appearance in a handicap chase can not be ruled out. In the same race young hunter Jimmy Greenspoon (Ire) was staying on from the rear when falling 6 out and looks one for the future.

Gildrom won at Huntingdon late February but his low jumping there would not fill one with confidence for his prospects of tackling stiffer obstacles or very soft ground (as shown at Aintree). Lord Harry a never dangerous second in that contest will appreciate the longer trip but would not want the ground too testing.

In a decent novice Hunters Chase at Ascot March 31, Minella Silver (Ire) made virtually all, staying on well in the soft ground.

On better ground at Exeter 10 April, Charlie Strong (Ire) came from behind to win a muddling Novice Hunters. This one could be prove to be much better.

Un Jour a Vassy (Fr) put up a fine display of jumping at Fakenham 16 April, to win a Novices' Hunters from an unusually held up Gildrom and looks like an improver to follow.

Sulphur Springs (Ire) with the same connections as Blanville (Fr) kept on for an easy win at Market Rasen 16 April.

With so little racing taking place this season the strongly run Hunter Chase at Ayr on 20 April was very informative. Teelin Bay (Ire) was always travelling well for Pauline Robson and soon settled the outcome of the race when going to the front 5 out to win by 10l from Blyth Brook who obviously appreciated the faster ground here and the staying on Calleva Star (Ire). Balisteros (Fr) indicated a return to its best form soon in coming fourth. While Litchanine (Fr) who made it a strong gallop and despite making a few mistakes, held on for fifth. The never nearer Lord Harry (Ire) who probably found the ground too quick, coming home in a never nearer sixth. There should be a number of winners coming out of this race.

Fair Wind (Ire), won a decent contest at Exeter 24 April, responding to pressure, it stayed on well to overhaul Wandering Light (Ire) after the last, the latter had looked the winner when taking it up four out. Here Comes Henry put in a lacklustre run but may not have recovered from Aintree and Mr Dow Jones (Ire) probably had too much use made of it, in a race where the principals came from off the pace.

In the weaker of the two divisions on the same Exeter card Look in the Mirror came from a long way back to snatch the race on the run-in and is coming back to form. Cahors (Ire) continues to progress. Cedar Square (Ire) ran promisingly until tiring on ground too slow and is capable of 125L+ when the ground is riding on the fast side of good.