in touch when fell 8th
in touch, lost place from 9th, no danger after
towards rear, headway under pressure after 3 out, no impression from 2 out
mid-division, headway after 10th (Bechers Brook) went 2nd 14th, led after 2 out, ridden out
with leaders, led 9th to 10th (Bechers Brook) blundered and unseated rider 11th (Valentines)
tracked leaders until fell 10th (Bechers Brook)
with leaders, left in lead 6th, headed 9th, prominent when fell 10th (Bechers Brook)
towards rear, headway and in touch 11th, disputed 2nd after 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra run-in
towards rear, fell 8th
mid-division, hampered 10th (Bechers Brook) headway under pressure after 3 out, weakened 2 out
made most until fell 6th
in touch, fell 9th
in touch until blundered and unseated rider 9th
towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 8th
in touch, hampered 10th (Bechers Brook) gradually weakened
towards rear, hampered 3rd (chair) soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 14th
tracked leaders, led 10th (Bechers Brook) headed after 2 out, kept on under pressure towards finish
towards rear, fell 3rd (The Chair)
mid-division, headway 11th, tracking leaders 14th, effort 2 out, one pace run-in
tracked leaders, fell 8th
mid-division, headway and in touch 7th, blundered 8th, hampered and unseated rider 10th (Bechers Brook)
mid-division, headway 9th and in touch, fell 12th (Canal Turn)
towards rear, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 16th
towards rear, making headway when fell 12th (Canal Turn)
mid-division, headway 11th, in touch 15th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
towards rear, hampered 3rd (The Chair), never dangerous
tracked leaders, effort after 3 out, one pace from 2 out
in touch, fell 10th (bechers brook)
It's not essential but previous course form is always a plus but no horse has carried more than eleven stone to victory since 2000 and with winners at 33, 25 and 50-1 in the last four years none should be discounted. There are several that fit this criteria but Pak Jack, Which Pocket and Bothar Na are the ones that make up our short-list with Bothar Na selected. Brendan Powell has endured a quiet spell but scored with a well backed winner on the level recently and could be about to turn the corner. He's towards the ceiling of our weight limit but hasn't got too many miles on the clock and may prove capable of better. He fell in the Grand Sefton around six from home but was in third at the time and in the process of running a big race. Pak Jack has made the frame in each of his three runs over these fences, including in the 2006 renewal of this race. He is 11lbs higher this time around and has won just once in twenty starts but he clearly relishes it here and has been trained with the race in mind. He looks sure to go close. Bothar Na doesn't come here in great form but he has shown glimpses of his old ability this term having endured a miserable time last season which saw him pull up in the National a year ago but he did finish fourth in the Fox Hunters' in 2006. He's well handicapped on his best form and has the assistance of Paul Carberry, who rides this course as well as any, in the saddle. There are concerns about his recent form and the trip but Bothar Na is worth backing at the prices.
Natal (FR) 3-1jt-fav (10-1) Always prominent, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, idled flat, driven out, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar beating Nacarat (10-3) by 2l, 10 ran.
Roman Ark 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching last, headed flat, one pace under pressure, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Marcel (10-1) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Too Forward (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up, steady headway from 14th, going well 2 out, ridden approaching last, weakened flat, 5th of 13, 12l behind Tango Royal (10-3) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Mar.
Gwanako (FR) 9-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 2 out, no impression last, 2nd of 22, 13l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Kenzo Iii (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Made all, blundered 4th, stayed on gamely, ridden out, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb beating Pedros Brief (11-5) by 2l, 8 ran.
Macs Flamingo (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th approaching 3 out, soon no extra, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 18l behind Sher Beau (11-2) at Navan 2m 4f chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Mar.
Crozan (FR) 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden 11th, beaten when hampered 2 out, 15th of 22, well behind Mister McGoldrick (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Palarshan (FR) 18-1 (11-1) Towards rear, steady headway 9th, ridden 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 22, 32l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
In The High Grass (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Raced mainly in 3rd, closer in 2nd from 5 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well under pressure, won at Cork 3m lst chs (1) sft in Mar beating He's On His Way (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Black Hills 40-1 (10-8) Behind from 8th, 9th of 22, 38l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Nacarat (FR) 12-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, led after 11th, not fluent and headed 2 out, ridden and every chance last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Natal (10-1) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Eric's Charm (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Led after 1st, headed 12th, led again next, headed 16th, weakened, soon lost place and pulled up 5 out in race won by Comply Or Die (11-12) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb, 18 ran.
Mighty Matters (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) In touch, mistake 10th, hit 12th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 11th of 22, 39l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Tommy Spar 66-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 17th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 19, well behind Mr Pointment (11-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Which Pocket (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders 15th, led last, hung left under pressure close home, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar beating Wrags To Riches (10-6) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
You're Special (USA) 25-1 (11-12) In rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Rayshan (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 16th, mistake 18th, ridden 20th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 16, 29l behind Himalayan Trail (9-9) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Mar.
Time To Sell (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, stumbled approaching straight, soon 8th, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before 2 out, 7th of 16, 17l behind Mouftari (10-10) at Limerick 3m hcp chs 0-130 hvy in Mar.
Bothar Na (IRE) 11-2jt-fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, dropped to 8th halfway, no impression from 4 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 18, 18l behind Ponmeoath (10-1) at Listowel 3m hcp chs gf in Sept.
Oodachee 40-1 (9-11) Never a factor, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Hear The Echo (10-0) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs gs in Mar, 23 ran.
Dreux (FR) 100-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, led 7th, headed approaching 8th, mistake 9th, led again 13th, ridden when headed 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 20, 14l behind Old Benny (11-7) at Cheltenham 4m nov amt chs (2) gs in Mar.
Nice Try (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, good jump to lead 10th, blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 12th, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 17l behind Officier De Reserve (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Pak Jack (FR) 18-1 (10-3) Behind, hampered 11th, headway 13th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 19, 20l behind Mr Pointment (11-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Dunbrody Millar (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led, headed 3rd, led again 7th, jumped left 9th, headed next, soon weakened, behind when fell at the 12th in race won by The Dark Lord (11-8) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb, 6 ran.
Lankawi 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten, 4th of 7, 30l behind Lysander (10-11) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Theatre Knight (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Towards rear, mistake 4th, behind when blundered 20th, well behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Rambling Minster (11-7) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Azulejo (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Chased clear leader until 7th, soon ridden and beaten, left remote 2nd last, 2nd of 4, well behind Coach Lane (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 13th, weakening when hampered approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Caribou (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Mar, 14 ran.
Marked Man (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 11th, upsides 3 out, stayed on same pace last, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Beesneez (10-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Randwick Roar (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb beating Classic Capers (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
