Top of the pile is Best Mate (Ire), who looks outstanding, with scope for more improvement. The latest easy win at Sandown, 3/2/01, being the best yet and looks a certainity for this year's Arkle, give underfoot seems to suit.

What's Up Boy's comfortably won a moderately run Gd2 Novice Chase at Aintree from Shotgun Willy (Ire) who did not seem to enjoy the conditions and failed to impress with it's jumping. In the same race Bacchanal (Ire) fell at the first, which may have been a blessing for the long-term. Both of the latter horses had put up good performances on better ground and should not be dismissed
Meanwhile Whats Up Boys (Ire) continues to improve by running an excellent second to Ad Hoc (Ire) in the Whitbread Gold Cup.

Frantic Tan (Ire) impressive over the Haydock fences in winning the De Vere, did not look at home at Aintree (Martell Cup) and was never jumping well, finally unseating its rider at the 13th fence. Once again did not jump well at Sandown in the Tote Gold Trophy Chase Gd1 Sandown 27 April. Probably has done enough.

Sackville (Ire)'s season had been geared around a challenge for honours in the Sun Alliance Novices Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before the Foot and Mouth epidemic played havoc with all and sundry. The oppostion in Ireland have not been able to provide much of a challenge. By contesting the 3m Novice Handicap Chase at Leopardstown 27 April, with top weight of 12st a much harder task was anticipated. Sackville (Ire) though by staying on strongly to win comfortably in the end, demonstrated that it will be a tough opponent to beat in the major staying chases next season.

Ikrenel Royal (Fr) an ex-French 5yo gelding looked to improve on its previous form in putting up an excellent UK debut in the novice chase at Sandown 27 April. Jumping and travelling well it had Exit to Wave (Fr) held in second when that rival managed to unship its jockey at the last. Crocadee on much faster ground than its last visit there, had trouble negotiating the fences in the back straight as fluently as its main opponents, losing vital ground.

Wahiba Sands has taken to the bigger obstacles well and looked unfortunate not to win a handicap chase at Aintree being beaten only a short head having made a bad mistake four out.

Take Control (Ire) is progressing and stays well on soft ground and is being aimed for the Scottish Grand National, though would have had a great chance in the Grand National if it had been allowed to run by connections.

Moral Support (Ire) had not impressed in its previous two runs at Haydock. It was still with the field and jumping well in the National, however, when it became one of the major sufferers in a pile up, alongwith You're Agoodun (still going well), caused by a loose horse at the 8th fence.

Red Striker, a full brother to National winner Red Marauder, was hugely impressive in winning a Novice H'cp Chase at Aintree and continues to improve.

Narrow Water (Ire) winner of the Eider Chase at Newcastle, looks to be a young stayer of immense promise.

Whitenzo (Fr) was only just beaten by Ballinclay King (Ire) 138SM+ in the Gd1 Martell Maghull Novices Chase at Aintree, having made a really bad mistake halfway round. Whitenzo is blessed with speed rather than stamina, the bottomless ground would not have helped its cause

At Auteuil on 18 March, the most impressive winner was Turgot (Fr) by 10 lengths in a 4yo Chase. This horse is improving rapidly, reversing earlier form with Demessac (Fr) dramatically. 2 May,Auteuil it wins another small race very easily.