held up towards rear, not fluent when struggling from 13th, pulled up before 17th
held up in rear, steady headway from 10th, chased winner from 15th (Canal Turn), not fluent 2 out, soon weakened, stopped to a walk 150 yards out and lost 2nd, rallied to regain 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, mid-division when unseated rider 15th (Canal Turn)
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 19th
chased leaders, went a poor 3rd 4 out until weakened approaching 2 out
led until headed approaching 4th, led again approaching 7th, clear from 3 out, ridden out
in touch, not fluent 4th, weakened from 4 out
close up, led approaching 4th, headed approaching 7th, weakened approaching 18th, took poor 2nd 150 yards out until towards finish
held up in touch when fell 11th
held up, blundered 3rd, struggling when blundered 16th
chased leaders, mid-division when pecked badly and unseated rider 8th
mistakes towards rear, weakened 14th
held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, weakened from 12th, pulled up before 16th (Valentines)
Nonrunner
Paul Nicholls has won three of the last four renewals but Gungadu and Mr Pointment could have their work cut out giving the weight away to IDLE TALK. Mr Pointment was rated 7lbs lower when winning this last year and it's not inconceivable that this lightly raced gelding could record a famous victory. He's had his problems since then and is probably worth taking on at the likely odds. Gungadu looks to be handicapped to the hilt despite only having had ten chase starts. He'll find it hard to win from this mark despite proving at Ascot that he is competitive from it but his presence does help to keep the weights down for Mr Pointment. Always Waining showed improved form for the fitting of a tongue tie at Market Rasen so could conceivably improve again with the contraption in place once more whilst the challenge of Southern Vic has to be respected. Irish Raptor was 7lbs lower when second in the Topham in April but should be spot on for this contest after a spin over hurdles whilst A New Story comes here after a fine effort in the Cork National. Idle Talk has struggled with his jumping in the past but he completed the course in the National and posted a fine round of jumping at Carlisle on his reappearance. He looked to have that race in the bag having jumped the last only to tie up on the climb to the line. He could have done without the 5lb rise for that effort but he has run well from higher marks in the past and appears to be a more consistent performer nowadays. His yard has hit form at just the right time and Idle Talk can silence his critics by landing the biggest prize of his career.
Gungadu 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, chased leader from 14th, ridden after 16th, lost 2nd after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Roll Along (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs (2) gd.
Mr Pointment (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, some progress approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 6th of 12, 23l behind Hills Of Aran (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Southern Vic (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden in 8th after 4 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 40l behind Catch Me (11-10) at Navan 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 sft.
Himalayan Trail 14-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Alickadoo (9-5) at Cork 3m 4f hcp chs 0-145 hvy, 16 ran.
Idle Talk (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 5th, led 12th, headed after 13th, led again 4 out, headed last 100 yards, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 1l behind See You There (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Black Apalachi (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Alickadoo (9-5) at Cork 3m 4f hcp chs 0-145 hvy, 16 ran.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 12, 8l behind Hills Of Aran (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Oulart (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Prominent, lost place 7 out, soon no extra, 10th of 12, well behind Dear Villez (10-12) at Limerick 3m hcp chs sft in Oct.
A New Story (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Always prominent, niggled along after 5 out, in front 2 out where mistake, reduced lead and strongly pressed last, headed run-in and short of room, soon dropped to 3rd, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Alickadoo (9-5) at Cork 3m 4f hcp chs 0-145 h.
Philson Run (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, headway under pressure approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, well behind Surface To Air (11-5) at Uttoxeter 4m lst hcp chs (1) gd in Jun.
Ivoire De Beaulieu (FR) (10-10) Led to 5 out, one pace, 5th of 16, 21l behind Sixteen (10-6) at Pardubice 4m 2f chs gd in Oct. Later dsq to last.
Ellerslie George (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Jumped right throughout, led to 6th, chased leaders, led again 6 out, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) frm in Oct beating Borora (11-5) by 2l, 10 ran.
Finzi (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Tracked winner until hit 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, 4th of 16, 18l behind Hello Bud (11-8) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Always Waining (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led before next, clear last, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Sept beating Breaking Silence (11-4) by 8l, 15 ran.
Out The Black (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 12, 22l behind Roll Along (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs (2) gd.
Noir Et Vert (FR) 7-1jt-fav (10-11) Held up towards rear, no chance before 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 17, well behind Parsons Legacy (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Oct.
