mid-division, not fluent 8th, headway after 17th, challenged 20th, led next, headed before 4 out, led again flat, stayed on
took keen hold, led until 6th, in touch, weakened 19th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, led 13th until before 18th, led before 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, 3rd when mistake 2 out, mistake last, stayed on well towards finish, went 2nd close home
in touch, headway 8th, blundered 18th, 4th when mistake 4 out, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on towards finish
in rear, not fluent 3rd, hit 23rd, modest 8th 3 out, ran on strongly flat, went 3rd close home, nearest finish
in rear, blundered 18th, ridden next, no impression, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 9th, headway after 17th, challenged 4 out, led before next, clear 2 out, headed flat, lost 2 places close home
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, lost place 16th, behind 18th, mistakes 20th and 22nd, pulled up before 2 out
in touch in mid-division, struggling 21st, well beaten 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway 11th, outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
took keen hold, prominent, led 6th until 13th, led before 18th, headed 21st, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
held up in rear, not fluent 10th, blundered 10th and 18th, headway before 20th, weakening when mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, mistake 18th, headway approaching 20th, outpaced after 4 out, mistake and no impression from next
prominent until 23rd, soon outpaced, stayed on well flat
prominent, ridden after 17th, weakened approaching 21st, tailed off
The marathon trip on soft ground is going to test the stamina of most of these but MID DIV AND CREEP won the race 12 months ago and was one of only three to complete in the Sussex National on heavy ground at Plumpton in January. Providing the fences don't get in the way, Lawney Hill's charge can take the honours again though course winner Joaaci, who contested both the Aintree and Scottish Nationals in his prime, should be staying on when others have cried enough. Special Portrait has to concede weight all round but was a very easy winner on soft ground at Perth last week and looks a better bet than recent points winner Crank Hill, Dear Villez, Never So Blue and Tirob over this extended distance. Veteran Kildonnan could make his presence felt however.
Special Portrait (IRE) 4-9fav (12-3) Tracked leaders, let front pair go clear 7th, closed 10th, led after 16th, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Perth 3m 2f hts chs (6) sft in Apr beating Hawthorne Bay (11-5) by 23l, 7 ran.
Apollo Blaze (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Led 2-10; rdn & wknd 18, 5th of 11, 23l behind Lucette Annie (11-7) at Upcott Cross 4m ptp gd in Apr.
Crank Hill 1-2 (12-7) Mists; bhnd til hdwy up 13; led 2 out; drew clr aft last, won at Lockinge 3m ptp gs in Apr beating Dasher Reilly (12-0) by 15l, 5 ran.
Dear Villez (FR) (12-0) Ap; led 7 til hdd by-passing 11; led by-passing 14; lft clr 4 out; unchall, won at Bonvilston 3m 4f ptp sft in Apr beating Gouranga Society (12-0) by 15l, 8 ran.
Heathyards Flyer 80-1 (11-9) In rear, not fluent 6th, behind 14th, plugged on from 3 out, went 3rd flat, tailed off, 3rd of 11, 44l behind Shoudhavenownbettr (11-12) at Warwick 3m 2f hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Horner Woods (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Wl bhnd to 9; disp ld 12-15; ev ch 3 out; wknd, 4th of 7, 15l behind Tom's Toybox (11-0) at Charing 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Joaaci (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Went 2nd 14; ev ch 3 out; one-pcd, 4th of 7, 12l behind Keppols Hill (12-0) at Trebudannon 3m 4f ptp gd in Apr.
Kildonnan 6-1 (12-5) Lost plce 9; kpt on 3 out; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 10, 12l behind See You There (12-5) at Corbridge 3m ptp gs in Apr.
Never So Blue (FR) 5-2 (12-3) Prog 13; chall 3 out; led app last; ro wl, won at Brampton Bryan 3m ptp gs in Apr beating Spit (12-0) by 3l, 10 ran.
Thirtytwo Red (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 11th, lost place next, behind after 14th, closed brielfy when not fluent 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 35l behind Presentandcorrect (12-3) at Exeter 3m hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Tirob (FR) 4-7 (12-0) (xnb) led to 10; led 15; drew clr app 2 out; easy, won at Andoversford 3m ptp gs in Apr beating Mandalay Bay (12-0) by 15l, 9 ran.
Tuesday's Child 66-1 (11-7) Led and raced wide, hit 8th, headed next, weakened from 10th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by I Have Dreamed (12-4) at Kempton 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Who Else Knew (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Nvr on terms, 4th of 7, 15l behind She Is A Cracker (11-11) at Larkhill 3m ptp gf in Apr.
Mid Div And Creep 10-1 (11-4) With leader when fell 1st, in a race won by Reblis (10-10) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
Lilac Wine 40-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, pushed along on outside before 9th, struggling next, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Rumbury Grey (11-13) at Exeter 3m nov hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
