towards rear, headway into mid-division 4 out, kept on same pace from next, never near leaders
made most, went on after 4 out, 7 lengths clear and staying on when fell next
in touch when blundered and dropped to mid-division 3rd, headway on outside 5 out, 7 lengths down when left in lead 3 out, ridden after next, kept on under pressure before last
mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 3rd
with leader, mistake 14th, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, 7 lengths down when left disputing lead briefly next, no impression with front pair from 2 out, lost modest 3rd flat
blundered 3rd, always towards
always behind, tailed off 4 out
mid-division, reminder after 10th, struggling 5 out, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, mistake 14th, driven and outpaced after 4 out, left disputing lead briefly next, soon ridden, no impression from 2 out
mid-division, reminders after 11th, ridden and weakened 4 out
mid-division in touch on inside, chased leaders under pressure 4 out, stayed on to take modest 3rd flat, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders on outside, close up when fell 5 out
chased leaders to after 11th, behind when mistake 13th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, left disputing lead next, soon ridden to chase winner, kept on under pressure in clear 2nd from 2 out, held flat
always behind, weakened 5 out, tailed off next, soon pulled up
tracked leaders on inside, hit 13th, outpaced 4 out, weakened 2 out
These veterans' chases are becoming increasingly popular and a few of these are regulars in the genre. Shuil Royale won last year's renewal with Baileys Concerto fourth and Masters Hill pulled up. But BENBENS won the race 12 months earlier and is 2lb lower, not including Zac Baker's claim. He ran a couple of cracking races in defeat in the spring at Ayr and Sandown and will take all the beating if in the same mood. Gas Line Boy is still a useful stayer so demands respect while Theatrical Star is no mug either, though is seeking a first victory since 2014. Potters Cross may be best of the rest.
Katkeau (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, steady headway chasing leaders before 11th, 3rd 13th until 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 24 1/4l behind Perfect Candidate (11-12) at Exeter 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Gas Line Boy (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, in touch 21st, hit 24th (2nd canal turn), effort when bumped 2 out, every chance last, soon ridden and one pace, no extra approaching elbow, 5th of 40, 16 3/4l behind One For Arthur (10-11) at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
The Romford Pele (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Chased leaders to before 6th, soon behind, pulled up befopre 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Shuil Royale (IRE) 28-1 (11-8) Mid-division, pushed along and struggling towards rear before 5 out, weakened, 7th of 14, 24 3/4l behind Bob Ford (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Call Me Vic (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, hampered 1st, lost place next, not fluent 11th, mistake 12th, struggling after, never on terms, 6th of 10, 27 1/4l behind Virgilio (11-12) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in May.
Benbens (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up behind, headway on outer after 4 out, driven to chase leaders next, ridden after last, kept on, 4th of 13, 1/2l behind Henllan Harri (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Cloudy Too (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Made most to 5th, with leader, ridden and lost place before 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 8, 30 1/2l behind No Hassle Hoff (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Masters Hill (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased winner, hit 2nd, lost 2nd 10th, chased leaders, hit next, weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Loose Chips (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Potters Cross 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 13th, 3rd and every chance when not fluent 4 out, kept on same pace run-un, 5th of 14, 11l behind Bob Ford (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
No Planning 15-2 (11-12) Led, headed after 3rd, hit 7th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 7, 37 3/4l behind Lough Salt (10-5) at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Astracad (FR) 6-1 (11-13) Held up, hit brush upright 6th, hit next and 8th, pulled up before 9th, at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in May.
Theatrical Star 10-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, lost place and in mid-division before 10th, outpaced before 5 out, plugged on run-in, 6th of 14, 11 3/4l behind Bob Ford (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Alderbrook Lad (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, soon went 2nd, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, refused and unseated rider last, at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Bob Tucker (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, steady headway 14th, chased leaders next, weakened 4 out, 9th of 13, 22 1/4l behind Braqueur D'or (11-4) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Mister First (FR) 33-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 10th, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 9th of 19, dist behind A Sizing Network (11-11) at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Baileys Concerto (IRE) 11-4 (10-5) Tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, kept on and lost 2nd place towards finish, no extra, 3rd of 5, 3l behind The Clock Leary (11-1) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gs in Sep.
