held up mid-division, pushed along before 15th, soon weakened, pulled up
held up mid-division, headway before 15th, went 2nd before next, a close 2nd and every chance when fell 2 out
held up behind, hit 9th and 10th, weakened before 15th, pulled up
with leader, led 4th headed before 3 out, ridden and weakened from last
tracked leaders in 4th, reminders before 15th, soon weakened, pulled up
tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent 6th, mistake 8th, blundered 5 out, chased winner last, no impression
held up mid-division, headway before 15th to chase leaders, led before 3 out, left clear 2 out, stayed on well
led to 4th, with leader, reminders after 14th, soon lost place, tailed off, pulled up
in rear, headway before 16th, kept on same pace from 3 out
Diamond Harry, winner of the Hennessy in 2010 off a 21lb higher mark, may not be the force of old but it's interesting that Nick Williams has sent him from Devon for this. He is eased in grade and should play a part. Chac Du Cadran is only 3lb higher than when winning this 12 months ago but has been well below par in two runs this term and Mister Marker, third in last year's Scottish National, blotted his copybook in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last time. Merlin's Wish won the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen by 25 lengths on Boxing Day, however, and makes more appeal than novice Green Wizard but Wellforth has a chance on his latest second over 3m4f at Haydock. SUN CLOUD needs to improve again on his seven-length defeat of The Thirsty Bricky at Hexham racing off a 10lb higher mark but is capable of doing so as this marathon trip promises to suit - he could be the value.
Mister Marker (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders to 4th, mid-division, weakened 5 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Hey Big Spender (11-4) at Newcastle 3m listed hcp chs (1) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Diamond Harry 11-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced in 3rd when slipped on bend before 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression in 4th flat, 4th of 11, 11l behind Balthazar King (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gd in Nov.
Carrigeen Lechuga (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, progress to go 3rd entering straight, ridden to go 2nd before last where mistake, dropped to 4th and no extra run-in, 4th of 14, 11l behind Thelobstercatcher (9-10) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140 in Dec.
Wellforth (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Prominent on outside, led after 15th, not fluent and headed 2 out (normal 4 out), stayed challenging, led again close home, headed last strides, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Across The Bay (11-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
Green Wizard (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced in 4th 5 out, no chance with leaders from next, left moderate 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Green Flag (11-5) at Newcastle 3m (3) gd in Nov.
Merlin's Wish 9-4fav (11-9) Held up, headway 9th, joined leaders 16th, led before next, clear 2 out, ran on, eased towards finish, comfortable, won at Market Rasen 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec beating Musical Wedge (11-5) by 25l, 6 ran.
Sun Cloud (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway before 5 out, went 3rd before 3 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, won at Hexham 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec beating The Thirsty Bricky (11-4) by 7l, 10 ran.
Chac Du Cadran (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along 7th, soon lost place, weakened 13th, behind when pulled up 15th, in a race won by Nuts N Bolts (11-11) at Haydock 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
The Thirsty Bricky (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Not fluent 1st, chased leaders on outside, fell 6th, in a race won by San Telm (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
