prominent, shaken before 2 out and weakened
mid-division, hit 3 out and ridden, kept on but always held
tracked leaders, headway to dispute lead 2 out, ridden and headed narrowly last, kept on run-in, no extra closing stages
led, jumped left throughout, pushed along and joined 2 out, soon ridden and headed last, faded final 110 yards
towards rear, hit 5 out, pushed along after 3 out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, faded and beaten 2 out
in rear, hit 3 out and pushed along, plugged on from 2 out, never nearer
chased leaders, shaken up and headway 2 out, led narrowly last, ridden run-in and drifted left, stayed on well, always doing enough
mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, went 4th 2 out, switched right and stayed on run-in, not trouble winner
INNISFREE LAD was never travelling at Chepstow earlier this month but that run should have blown away any cobwebs and Brian Hughes keeps faith with David Dennis’ stayer, who finished ahead of Rath An Iuir in the Eider at Newcastle last season. Secret Reprieve won last season’s Welsh Grand National so stamina won’t be an issue while Houston Texas recorded a course and distance double in February, beating Mount Melleray on the second occasion. Seven No Trumps tries a new trip but has bags of potential but Niceandeasy has been found wanting in this grade in the past.
Secret Reprieve (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Always rear-division, tailed off and pulled up before 12th, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Morning Spirit (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) In rear, in touch, ridden after 4 out, gradually faded after 3 out, 4th of 5, 8 1/4l behind Moroder (11-8) at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Innisfree Lad (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Off the pace in 4th, not fluent 2nd, lost place and behind 6th, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Some Chaos (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gf in Oct.
Mount Melleray (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, rallied and every chance last, stayed on to press winner towards finish, 2nd of 5, shd behind Houston Texas (10-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Seven No Trumps (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) Towards rear, jumped left on occasions, not fluent 8th, going well 3 out, joined leader 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace run in, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Buster Valentine (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Rath An Iuir (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost place 10th, struggling 15th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out, at Perth 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Niceandeasy (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Not that fluent in rear, mistake and lost ground 2nd, mistake 10th, headway 12th, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, headed flat, led again towards finish, won at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Donna's Delight (11-8) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Houston Texas (IRE) 15-8 (10-3) Close up, tracked leader 6th, led 3 out, ridden and bad mistake next, driven and all out, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Mount Melleray (11-0) by shd, 5 ran.
Flower Of Scotland (FR) 5-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along and outpaced home turn, weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, 12 1/2l behind Taxmeifyoucan (10-9) at Perth 3m 3f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
