led or disputed lead, ridden and pressed 2 out, headed flat, stayed on, held towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden after 13th, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden to challenge next, led flat, stayed on well
led or disputed lead until 3 out, beaten 2 out, weakened approaching last
took keen hold in last pair, mistakes 3rd and 16th, headway 16th, not fluent 4 out, every chance when hit 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, jumped slowly and outpaced 16th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, no impression
held up in last pair, pulled hard, blundered 14th, weakened 3 out
Nikola has become a regular in these veteran races and was third in a similar contest at Doncaster last time. He's 3lb lower here so should go close again while Fabalu won at Bangor in February, though has struggled in this grade in the past. KNIGHTON COOMBE, winner of last year's Summer National at Uttoxeter, ran a fine race over 3m5f at Warwick in February and looks to be on the way back. He'll be keen to make this a test of stamina and can stay on too strongly for the luckless Cullahill and Carrickmines, who is better over hurdles.
Fabalu (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Made all, ridden after 3 out, stayed on gamely, won at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb beating Valley View (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Knighton Combe 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway before 16th, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 4l behind Fortification (11-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Nikola (FR) 11-2 (10-11) Held up in touch, headway 13th, effort 3 out, chased winner approaching last, faded close home, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Faasel (11-8) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Feb.
Carrickmines (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, jumped slowly 8th, headway after 12th, mistake 3 out, one pace when mistake next, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Sound Accord (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Mar.
Cullahill (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 11th, led approaching 14th (water), mistake 16th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon dropped to 4th, plugged on one pace, took 3rd last stride, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Gone To Lunch (10-8) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Oct.
Cortinas (GER) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 4th until next, chased leaders, stumbled 8th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, 49l behind That's The Deal (10-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
