prominent, mistake 2nd, hit 8th, led when pecked 12th (canal turn) swerved right and unseated rider
held up in mid-division, shaken up after 3 out, never on terms, well beaten 2 out
mid-division, slow 4th (water), not fluent 5th, closed next, mistake and lost place 12 (canal turn), mistake next (valentines), soon behind, pulled up after 3 out
towards rear, modest headway 12th (canal turn), no impression, well beaten from 3 out, tailed off and hanging left after last
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, some headway 13th (valentines), no impression, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway from 8th, went 2nd from last, carried right after elbow, stayed on, always being held
held up in rear, never going pace to get on terms from 12th (canal turn), 9th at the last, went modest 6th before the elbow
chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, edged right after elbow, stayed on, ridden out
held up towards rear, mistake 8th and 11th (foinavon), headway 3 out, never able to get on terms with leaders, 5th at the last, well beaten before the elbow
prominent, mistake 3 out, soon headed, lost 2nd last, kept on, faded into 4th towards finish
towards rear, not fluent 7th, ridden 10th (bechers brook), headway 13th (valentines), not able to get on terms, well beaten 6th at the last
led until blundered 12th but quickly left in lead, headed after 3 out, weakening quickly in 7th at the last
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, 4th at the last, soon hanging left, kept on from the elbow, went 3rd towards finish, no impression on front pair
NonRunner
SENIOR CITIZEN was only seventh in this last season, behind runner-up Sir Jack Yeats, and is 5lb higher. However, he ran much better in the Topham over the National fences in April, finishing third, and jumped really well when making a winning reappearance at Market Rasen. Francky Du Berlais looks held on that form. James Bowen has a good record riding in this race and his mount, Mac Tottie, is much better than he showed at Fontwell while Thomas Macdonagh didn’t do a lot wrong last term. Cat Tiger was a Grade 3 winner in France and makes his handicap debut. Paul Nicholls has won this three times in the last eight years and his seven-year-old was third in the Foxhunters’ over these fences in April so demands respect. Time To Get Up was a big improver in the spring and produced an excellent staying performance to land the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in March, though there is a danger he could get left behind over this shorter trip.
Spyglass Hill (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led, headed 4 out, dropped to 4th before 2 out where mistake, soon weakened in 5th, 5th of 15, 20 3/4l behind Ontheropes (11-0) at Limerick 3m hcp sft in Oct.
Francky Du Berlais (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 9, 30 3/4l behind Senior Citizen (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
The West's Awake (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent at 4th, 4th after 6th, 5th 4 out, improved to 3rd after 4 out, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Poseidon (10-9) at Cork 2m 2f hcp gd in Oct.
Time To Get Up (IRE) 3-1fav (10-10) Held up in mid-division, headway from 20th, 3rd when not fluent 4 out, went 2nd next, stayed on well flat, led towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar beating Mighty Thunder (10-11) by 1l, 20 ran.
Al Roc (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Always in rear, last of 8, 23 1/2l behind Crystal Gazing (10-9) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Senior Citizen 9-2jfav (10-13) Close up, led 3 out, ridden and ran on, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Guy (10-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Hogan's Height (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Led, headed 3rd, dropped towards rear after 6th, ridden along before 3 out, plugged on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 6, 22 3/4l behind Investment Manager (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Mac Tottie 3-1 (11-12) Held up, not fluent 10th, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced, last of 4, dist behind Pilbara (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Cat Tiger (FR) 8-15fav (12-6) Tracked leader, travelled well 4 out disputing second, every chance on outside 3 out, mistake 2 out, rallied last, not reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Tanit River (11-12) at Southwell 3m (6) gs in May.
Via Dolorosa (FR) (0-0) won at Les Sables 2m 5f gs in Sep beating Cybor Del'rais (0-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Thomas Macdonagh 9-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 2nd until 6th, led again after 8th, headed 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Informateur (11-3) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Sir Jack Yeats (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 3rd until 6th, stayed close up, 2nd 3 out, 4th 2 out, fading 5th from last, 5th of 26, 26l behind Livelovelaugh (11-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Manwell (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Held up, headway into midfield 3 out, ran on, 4th of 9, 16l behind Hewick (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Five Star Getaway (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) In rear, mistake 4th, pushed along after 6 out, weakened after 5 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Paint The Dream (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
