handy, pushed along before last, soon ridden and gradually faded run-in
held up in rear mid-division, some headway before 2 out, kept on, never a danger
chased leaders, mistake and dropped away 10th, tailed off before 2 out
prominent, travelled strongly, led 12th (canal turn), ridden at elbow, kept on well, always doing enough
towards rear, pushed along before 2 out where jumped right, soon weakened
mid-division, closed up behind leaders 12th (canal turn), every chance last and ridden run-in, kept on same pace
in rear, never involved
led, mistake and headed 12th (canal turn), remained close up, pushed along before 2 out, stayed on, no impression on winner
mid-division, pushed along before last, weakened run-in
mid-division, went 4th at 11th (Foinavon), going ok when unseated rider 12th (canal turn)
NonRunner
This is likely to turn into a slog in the conditions and Frero Banbou has never raced over a trip this far. Minella Trump stays further and has won on the soft but has something to prove on recent form. GESSKILLE (NAP) was an unlucky loser in this last year and was second again over these fences in the Becher Chase last December. He had Percussion just behind on both occasions and completed again in the Topham in April. Having won a Listed chase at Auteuil in September, fitness won’t be an issue. Fantastic Lady was second in the Topham on soft going so Nicky Henderson’s mare also goes on the shortlist while Irish raider Born By The Sea is race-fit. Cooper's Cross won the Sky Bet at Doncaster last season and was later second in the Scottish Grand National so will likely be staying on when others have cried enough.
Fantastic Lady (FR) 13-2 (10-13) Held up in last pair, headway tracking leading pair 11th, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 7 3/4l behind Hewick (11-6) at Sandown 2m 7f (1) gs in Apr.
Nassalam (FR) 13-2 (10-13) Mid-division, outpaced when not fluent 4 out, no impression after, 7th of 15, 18 3/4l behind Midnight River (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Born By The Sea (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Close up and disputed early, tracked leaders after 3rd, 3rd halfway, close up 4 out, 3rd and slight mistake next, soon ridden and no extra, 5th of 6, 20 1/2l behind Pats Choice (10-12) at Galway 2m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Gesskille (FR) 5-1 (10-10) won at Auteuil 2m 6f lst hvy in Sep beating Echo De Champdoux (10-10) by shd, 9 ran.
Cooper's Cross (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway and switched right before 3 out, challenged 2 out, every chance when jumped right last, no impression on winner inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 18, 3l behind Kitty's Light (11-0) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Frero Banbou (FR) 14-1 (10-6) Prominent, ridden and losing place when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 12th of 23, 17 1/4l behind Seddon (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Ganapathi (FR) 18-1 (10-10) Detached in rear, never on terms, 4th of 6, 37 1/2l behind Tommy's Oscar (12-0) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Percussion 15-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, struggling 14th, behind 16th, pulled up before 17th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Yccs Portocervo (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Led, mistake 4 out, headed 2 out, led again last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Corran Cross (12-0) by 5l, 6 ran.
Half Shot (IRE) 2-1fav (12-1) Led, jumped well, faced challenge 3 out, shaken up and went 1 length ahead 2 out, ridden run-in and headed narrowly 110 yards out, battled on, just denied, 2nd of 5, hd behind Destiny Is All (11-8) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Minella Trump (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, pecked badly 21st, lost place 25th valentines, weakened 3 out, 15th of 39, dist behind Corach Rambler (10-5) at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
