with leader, led 3rd, headed 4 out, weakened after next,
in touch, headway 3 out, soon chasing leader, led before 2 out, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, hit 3 out, soon under pressure, rallied 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last
led until 3rd, chased leaders, driven to challenge 3 out, weakened next
midfield, when fell 5th
behind, headway 8th, led 4 out, headed approaching and mistake 2 out, weakened flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 4th, under pressure after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, ridden 3 out, headway next, stayed on approaching last, kept on well under pressure
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Former Grand National winner Pineau De Re is potentially well treated over hurdles, though this could be a confidence-booster after he fell over the National fences last week. Knockara Beau and Barafundle are best watched at present but a number of their rivals arrive at the top of their game. Island Heights and stable companion Tradewinds have both won twice since the summer and Native Optimist has won three of his last four, though steps up a couple of grades for this. ISAACSTOWN LAD has rattled up a hat-trick and, though raised another 10lb, had his latest victory at Kelso franked by the runner-up - he may be capable of scoring again before the handicapper intervenes.
Barafundle (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, lost place 4th, soon in rear and struggling, pulled up before 5 out, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Pineau De Re (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Held up in rear on outside, fell 2nd, at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Donna's Diamond (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, blundered 4 out, ridden 2 out, blundered last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Isaacstown Lad (10-11) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Island Heights (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Made most, ridden and hit 2 out, stayed on gamely flat, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Major Ivan (11-8) by 2l, 11 ran.
Isaacstown Lad (IRE) 11-4fav (10-11) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, joined leader 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Neptune Equester (11-0) by 7l, 7 ran.
Native Optimist (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up in rear but in touch, headway on inside approaching 5th, led next, headed after 4 out, led again 2 out, hit last, ran on well (2 hurdles ommited), won at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Howaboutnever (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Hartforth 12-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed 7th, tracked leader, ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 4 3/4l behind Divine Port (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Quel Elite (FR) 10-1 (10-10) In rear, ridden and headway before 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Island Heights (11-8) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Chased leaders to 3rd, mid-division, lost place and behind from 10th, lost touch 13th, tailed off 5 out, soon pulled up, at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Tradewinds (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on, 3rd of 10, 5 3/4l behind Atlantic Gold (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m (3) gd in Oct.
