mid-division, outpaced 15th, 9th and still plenty to do before last, ridden and stayed on strongly towards stands side flat, went 4th near finish, never nearer
towards rear of mid-division, tracked leaders 9th, driven 3 out, one pace next, kept on under pressure flat, never on terms
behind, hit 3rd (chair), ridden 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division in touch, tracked leaders 15th, hit 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and kept on flat, no impression
led 2nd, made most after, driven before last, ridden approaching elbow, stayed on well
towards rear of mid-division, outpaced when hampered 13th (valentines), ridden and kept on under pressure from last, never reached leadrs
tracked leaders, blundered 7th, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division in touch, tracked leaders 10th, (bechers brook), went 2nd going well before last, shaken up approaching elbow, kept on same pace, held final 120 yards
prominent until fell 13th (valentines)
prominent, ridden after 2 out, went 3rd approaching elbow, kept on, not reach front pair
led narrowly to 2nd, chased leaders until lost place 7th, soon behind, no danger after
tracked leaders, disputed lead from 5th, ridden before 2 out, lost place approaching last, weakened flat
mid-division on outside, lost place 11th (foinavon), tailed off when pulled before 14th
mistake 1st, soon behind, jumped left 3 out, never dangerous, hung left after last
tracked leaders, lost place when mistake 4 out, soon behind, tailed off
always behind, lost touch when sprawled on landing 10th (bechers), pulled up before 13th (valentines)
Rebel Rebellion battled to victory in this 12 months ago under Ryan Mahon off a 5lb lower mark. He could easily figure again given his experience over these obstacles. Champion Court and Hunt Ball have the class to get involved and the latter looked comfortable over the fences in the Grand National in April before his stamina gave out. Sandown second Dolatulo is another for the short-list but Cedre Blue has more bad days than good and Persian Snow had a rough passage in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham last month. Rolling Aces usually takes on stronger opposition and will appreciate the drop in grade but how he'll handle these fences is anybody's guess. WITNESS IN COURT could be allowed to start at generous odds as he has his first start since disappointing at Stratford in May. But he likes soft ground and has gone well fresh in the past so gets the nod in a very open race.
Rolling Aces (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led before 4 out, headedd after 2 out, no impression on winner last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-8) at Aintree 2m 4f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Hunt Ball (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Raced wide, held up in last pair, headway 3rd, 3rd before 3 out, driven along after 3 out, soon one pace and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Fletchers Flyer (10-12) at Ascot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Champion Court (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) In touch, challenged 9th, every chance 3 out, no extra flat, 7th of 18, 12l behind Caid Du Berlais (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leders in 3rd, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 12, 15l behind Grey Gold (11-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs (2) sft in Oct.
Poole Master 20-1 (11-4) Tracked winner until 8th, lost place before 4 out, well beaten approaching 2 out, tailed off, last of 6, 44l behind Uxizandre (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m lst chs (1) sft in Nov.
Persian Snow (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders on inside, no extra and not much room 2 out, 14th of 18, 40l behind Caid Du Berlais (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Dolatulo (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, led 4 out, hard pressed when jumped left 2 out, soon headed, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Sound Investment (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Nov.
Cedre Bleu (FR) 40-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 6th, headway 12th, jumped left and no extra 2 out, 12th of 18, 25l behind Caid Du Berlais (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Up To Something (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Led, joined 10th, headed 12th, weakened next, 5th of 6, well behind Many Clouds (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst chs (1) sft in Nov.
Bennys Mist (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division, blundered 11th, soon lost place, behind 17th, pulled up after, in a race won by The Young Master (10-13) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Witness In Court (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Led until 5th, not fluent 10th, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 35l behind Deciding Moment (10-10) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in May.
Orpheus Valley (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Jumped right, led until 1st, led 3rd unti 9th, lost place 12th, weakened before 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Caid Du Berlais (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov, 18 ran.
Foundation Man (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Midfield when fell 4th, in a race won by Sound Investment (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Bob Ford (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Led, joined 12th, headed 4 out, chased leaders, rallied to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Howard's Legacy (10-4) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Nov.
King Of The Wolds (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, blundered 6 out, led 3 out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Presenting Junior (10-8) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Too Cool To Fool (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Definite Dream (11-2) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
