held up, mistake 1st, in mid division 6th when fell 5th
towards rear, well held when fell 13th (valentines)
held up in touch, mistake 9th, in 4th when blundered and unseated rider 13th
held up in touch, in 4th when fell 8th
led, headed 10th, regained lead 12th, fell 14th
held up, left 2nd 14th, ridden before elbow, stayed on and not much room on inside flat, held towards finish
held up, headway approaching 10th, left 3rd 14th, weakened from 2 out
tracked leader, led 10th, mistake and headed 12th (canal), left clear 14th, ridden and wandered before elbow, edged left run in, driven out, kept on well
held up mid division, went 3rd 2 out, always held
prominent, lost place 6th, tailed off from 11th
tracked leaders, in 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 3rd (chair)
The 2009 renewal of the Grand Sefton chase, over the national fences, looks competitive as ever and having saddled the winner of this contest in the last two seasons we're backing Jim Goldie to land a hat-trick of titles with his CRAIGLANDS while Nudge And Nurdle looks the main danger with Bible Lord giving away lumps of weight all around. The pick has been on good form since returning from over a year out scoring in his first two starts after that break in hunter chases before holding his form in some decent handicaps off this mark. He's been targeted at this race and his yard are confident of a big run if taking to these fences. Nudge And Nurdle proved stamina for this test as he got up late to land a good contest at Sandown on his latest run. He would prefer things firmer under hoof but he should run a big race under his revised mark. Bible Lord idled when in front when scoring in a handicap listed race at Wetherby on his return to action last time so might just be better value for the success than the margin suggests. His jumping, though, hasn't always been the best and he might be found out over these fences if those demons return. Frankie Figg was impressive when getting the better of the selection last time and must be respected on that but Craiglands has been primed for this attempt and Jim Goldie should complete his three-timer in this race.
Bible Lord (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led on inside approaching 4 out, driven and idled flat, always holding on, won at Wetherby 2m 4f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct beating Bauhaus (9-11) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Valley Ride (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, chased leaders halfway, weakened 4 out, 11th of 18, 46l behind Ellerslie George (10-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs.
The Sawyer (BEL) 16-1 (11-6) Led 3rd, headed after 4 out, soon ridden, hampered, rider lost iron briefly and left 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 23l behind Razor Royale (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs.
Always Waining (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division, dropped to rear 14th, struggling after, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind The Last Derby (10-3) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
Frankie Figg (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Made all, left clear from last, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct beating Craiglands (11-0) by 8l, 11 ran.
Pak Jack (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in 4th, went 3rd after 3rd, went 2nd approaching 2 out, no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Like Minded (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 4-1fav (10-8) Mid-division, slightly hampered 1st, headway approaching 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd beating Double Dizzy (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Dev (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Led, hard driven and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Storm of Applause (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Craiglands (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, left 2nd after last, weakened towards finish, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Frankie Figg (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Fresh Air And Fun (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, hit 8th, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Never So Blue (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy, 9 ran.
Corlande (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Chased leader, led approaching 6th, headed 8th, weakened from 6 out, 8th of 10, 48l behind Tarotino (11-7) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
