led, headed approaching 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, weakened from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, all out
chased leaders, with leaders when stumbled 4 out, every chance next, weakening when fell last
chased leaders, blundered 4th, weakened from 5 out
chased leader, led 4 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, outpaced 4 out, ridden and stayed on approaching 2 out
always towards rear, blundered when weakening 4 out
chased leaders, ridden approachng 3 out, ran on towards finish
chased leaders, weakened after 4 out
held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, ridden next, stayed on well from last
held up behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, weakened from 6th
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, well held when brought down last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
The race named after the great Grand National hero Red Rum can go to Caracciola, although L'Ange Au Ciel, Golden Alpha, Fota Island and Bambi de l'Orme also make it onto the shortlist. With Caracciola being eleven pounds better off for the six lengths he finished behind Fota Island at Cheltenham, he can clearly be expected to go well, but so can the winner, who won well on that occasion and who could still be very well-weighted. Of course, Bambi de l'Orme, who was runner-up in the same race, and who is now ten pounds better off with Fota Island for five lengths, is another to give serious thought to. Bonus Bridge and Master Rex, the former more so than the latter, look held on that form. L'Ange Au Ciel ran poorly at Cheltenham but better was expected and it would be wrong to write off a horse that his rider rates highly, while Golden Alpha won this race last year from a nine-pound lower mark (when Log On Intersky was fourth and is now only six pounds better of for 17-and-a-quarter lengths). However, he has competed well from higher marks this season so do not rule out a good run from Martin Pipe's gelding. Kadount could be very decent once he fully puts it all together, while Bleu Superbe is not far above a winning mark but does have a few lengths to find on Fota Island, Caracciola and Bambi de l'Orme based on Cheltenham form. On balance, the others - including the tough Old Marsh - for us, have something to find, which returns us to the selection, which is Caracciola.
Golden Alpha (IRE) 50-1 Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 12l behind Well Chief at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Caracciola (GER) 16-1 Behind, headway approaching 10th, ridden when carried right approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 24, 6l behind Fota Island at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Fota Island (IRE) 7-1 In touch, headway 8th, switched left approaching 3 out, led and hampered approaching 2 out, hampered again approaching last, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar beating Bambi De L'orme by 5l, 24 ran.
Town Crier (IRE) 50-1 Towards rear, headway 8th, weakened after next, 13th of 19, 41l behind Contraband at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Non So (FR) 12-1 Mid-division, weakening when mistake 2 out, 20th of 25, 24l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Bonus Bridge (IRE) 25-1 Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 16th of 24, 38l behind Fota Island at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Master Rex 40-1 In touch, ridden when carried right approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 7th of 24, 14l behind Fota Island at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
L'Ange Au Ciel (FR) 9-2fav Mid-division, hit 2nd, ridden when blundered 3 out, soon eased, 14th of 24, 35l behind Fota Island at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Kadount (FR) 20-1 Held up, behind when unseated rider 4 out in race won by Contraband at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar, 19 ran.
Bleu Superbe (FR) 66-1 Prominent, ridden and every chance when hampered 2 out, weakened flat, 8th of 24, 15l behind Fota Island at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 16-1 Held up and keen, headway 9th, ridden 2 out, stayed on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 24, 5l behind Fota Island at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Duke of Buckingham (IRE) 8-1 Held up, took closer order 5th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next, 6th of 8, 32l behind Handy Money at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Mar.
Old Marsh (IRE) 5-1 Held up, mistake 3rd, headway 7th, led 2 out, clear last, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Mar beating Super Nomad by 7l, 11 ran.
Junior Fontaine (FR) 14-1 Tracked leaders on outer, 4th 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 13th of 14, 24l behind Escrea at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl hvy in Mar.
Island Faith (IRE) 7-4fav Held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind Town Crier at Haydock 2m hcp chs (B) sft in Feb.
Log On Intersky (IRE) 16-1 Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 6th, well behind from 10th, last of 9, well behind Oneway at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gs in Jan.
