prominent, led 3rd, headed 10th, led 15th, mistake and rider lost reins 17th, blundered and u.r 20th
prominent, bdly and refused 19th, remounted and finished 4th
towards rear, mistake and fell 4th
prominent, not much room mistake fell 7th (Foinavon)
fell 2nd
mid-division, bdly hampered and fell 8th (Canal Turn)
prominent until fell 5th
held up towards rear, mistakes throughout, headway 13th, left clear 20th, led 21st, headed 27th, led and went clear approaching 2 out, ridden out flat
hmpd and brought down 8th (Canal Turn)
prominent, pushed along 17th, pulled up before 19th
prominent, hampered and refused 19th, remounted, no chance with first two
prominent, hampered 4th, bdly hampered and refused 8th (Canal Turn)
prominent, mistake and unseated rider 6th (Becher's Brook)
mid-division until fell 13th
mid-division, bdly hampered and fell 15th (Chair)
towards rear, fell 6th (Becher's Brook)
mid-division, hmpd and brought down 8th (Canal Turn)
towards rear, hampered and brought down 8th (Canal Turn)
mid-division, blundered bdly 15th (Chair), pulled up before next
towards rear, fell 4th
led to 3rd, stayed prominent, led 10th, headed 14th, not much room approaching and fel1 15th (Chair)
towards rear, hampered and brought down 8th (Canal Turn)
always behind, pulled up bef 16th (Water)
mid-division, headway 7th, tracked leaders 9th, led 14th, headed next, stayed prominent, left along with winner 20th, led 27th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened and eased flat
fell 3rd
mid-division and hmpd and brought down 8th (Canal turn)
prominent, virtually refused and unseated rider 11th
held up, hampered and refused 8th, continued and refused 19th
brought down 8th (Canal Turn)
in touch when hampered and refused 19th
fell 1st
mid-division, blundered and u.r 9th (Valentine's Brook)
always in rear, fell 15th (Chair)
Beau (IRE) High class chaser who stays and jumps well: sure to give supporters a good run for their money, his Achilles heel could be lumping topweight in very testing conditions.
Papillon (IRE) Last year's hero looks set for another bold showing having been trained all year just for this race; sure to be thereabouts when it matters.
Earthmover (IRE) Stays all day and handles the ground but does tend to take the odd liberty with his fences; with a clear round he would have every chance.
Merry People (IRE) Two attempts at this race and nothing to write home about; hard to see him improving on his moderate record here.
Tresor De Mai (FR) Not in the best form at present but does enjoy the boglike conditions and shrewd connections shouldn't be underestimated; sure to have plenty of supporters.
General Wolfe Decent sort at his best and looks to have slipped to a fair handicap mark; likes the ground and stays well and has a good each-way chance.
The Last Fling (IRE) Hasn't looked the same horse as last year when he carried all before him, but as a consequence has tumbled down the weights. Loves soft ground and these fences could bring out the best in this thorough stayer; big chance.
Hanakham (IRE) Very lightly raced horse handled by the legendary Aintree figure Ginger McCain; looks as though his best days are behind him though but would be a very popular if shock winner.
Addington Boy (IRE) Fourth and fifth in the last two runnings of this event and despite his years is still a smart stayer; showed he was in good heart with a promising comeback run latest and knows his way round here better than any; ground against him but he may still sneak a place.
Red Marauder Fell at Bechers here twelve months ago and also tipped up last time but is generally a sound conveyance; has a touch of class and could run well without troubling the judge.
Djeddah (FR) French raider who has some good form to his name although not of late; however did finish a creditable 9th here last year and now has the ground to suit - likely to be thereabouts.
Strong Tel (IRE) Not seen out since finishing down the field in the Hennesy in November so should be fresh and is sure to be race fit; one of the less exposed types who is not without a hope.
Unsinkable Boxer (IRE) Formerly a decent sort but has been absent for two years and it would require the training feat of the century to see him score.
Blowing Wind (FR) Best at around two and a half miles, he comes into this race in fine fettle and chasers of his ilk have been known to stay well in this race; from the Pipe yard and could turn out to be the best chance for the Nicolashayne handler.
Moral Support (IRE) Mudlark who should feel right at home in today's conditions; stays well and is no forlorn hope.
Northern Starlight Won the John Hughes Chase over these fences last year but hasn't been seen out since; sure to give a good account of himself but not a certain stayer.
Noble Lord Looked good when winning in the Haydock mud in January but has disappointed since. Stays really well though and handles the testing conditions and would still have a leading chance with a clear round.
Amberleigh House (IRE) Ginger McCain's second string, goes on the ground but doesn't really look good enough.
Exit Swinger (FR) Another of the Pipe troupe and the youngest horse in the race, he jumps well but stamina could well be his problem;others make more appeal.
Mely Moss (FR) Very lightly raced but talented horse who ran a blinder to be runner-up to Papillon last year; has been trained to go one better this year but the ground wouldn't be ideal for him. Will make a bold bid but hard to see him scoring this year.
Dark Stranger (FR) Leading hope for last year's event but got no further than the 3rd fence; ran a good trial race last time and if he picks his feet up could spring a surprise.
Listen Timmy (NZ) Hasn't been in good form so far this term and is difficult to excited about.
Inis Cara (IRE) Has moved to be trained for the vent by Venetia Williams and is not without hope on pick of his form; sneaks into the handicap proper and is not without hope.
Edmond (FR) Thorough stayer who loves the mud and has been the subject of good support since the rains came; likely to be in the shake-up and could be a tough nut to crack off his light weight.
You're Agoodun Sloppy jumper but has plenty of ability and ran really well behind Behrajan last time; another of the Pipe mob he could be the sort who relishes the big fences.
No Retreat (NZ) Pulled up last two starts and doesn't appeal as a betting medium; has a very stiff task.
Smarty (IRE) Goes well in the mud and is capable, but hasn't run well of late and may have gone off the boil; trainer Mark Pitman knows what's required though.
Hollybank Buck (IRE) Goes well round here (10th in the race last year) and can be expected to complete once again although it would be a surprise if he makes the frame.
Moondigua (IRE) Uninspiring form figures and hasn't shown enough of late to suggest that he's up to this task; hard to fancy.
Village King (IRE) Never got into the race last year but has been in sound form this term running well behind Flaked Oats latest; stays and generally jumps well and is a lively outsider.
Spanish Main (IRE) Left clear when scoring at Uttoxeter latest and previous form doesn't look good enough; connections are pretty shrewd though and there are others with far less hope of glory.
Esprit De Cotte (FR) Hasn't scored for two years and fell here in November; despite the fact that he's handled by the masterful N Henderson, he hard to get excited about today.
Lance Armstrong (IRE) A horse that likes soft ground and can be expected to see out the trip, this is one of the more hopeful outsiders and could run well.
Kaki Crazy (FR) Ex-French Pipe recruit who looks out of his depth in this company; likely to struggle.
Feels Like Gold (IRE) Best effort here was when 5th to the late Bobbyjo here two years ago; his best days are behind him, but he should jump round.
Paddy's Return (IRE) Would ideally prefer better ground but stays really well and can be expected to put up a bold show; sure to command support he has a sound each-way chance.
Brave Highlander (IRE) Pulled up last time but did finish a brave 4th here last year; a bit long in the tooth but worth his place in the line-up.
Art Prince (IRE) Pulled up last two outings and will hate this ground; no chance.
Mister One Will be outclassed in this company but should give Mark Bradburne a good ride round - in his own time!
Supreme Charm (IRE) Will not lack for stamina but is slow and unlikely to be sighted after the first circuit.
