tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 10th, led 16th, in command from 2 out, stayed on strongly
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, jumped right 2 out, weakened last, eased, run-in
not fluent, chased leaders, blundered 12th and weakened, pulled up before 16th
held up in rear, stayed on from 3 out, never going pace to reach leaders
tracked leader to before 10th, hit next, stayed handy until weakened 4 out
jumped right at several fences, took keen hold and tracked leaders in 4th, chased winner 4 out, went right and mistake next, jumped right and mistake 2 out, no impression when jumped right last
held up, headway to tracked leaders 15th, upsides winner and travelling well when stumbled on landing and unseated rider 3 out
never going well in rear, ridden and struggling 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear, no chance from 4 out
held up in last pair, hit 8th, ridden 13th, headway under pressure from 3 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on, run-in
led to 16th, weakening when hit 4 out, pulled up after next
Grand National runner-up Royal Auclair is likely to have the big Ainteee spectacular as his target again this term so may be best watched at present and a safer option looks to be It Takes Time, who is preferred to All In The Stars and Liberthine. The selection finished fourth in the National and again ran well over the big fences at Aintree on his return over the big fences when a close fourth behind Garvivonian in the Becher Chase last month. He has an obvious chance off the same mark today on a course that he has done well at before albeit over hurdles. Lord Sam was well held in the Paddy Power on his return but should strip fitter for the run, while Ballycassidy is better than his run in the Hennessy would suggest. Fork Lightning is probably best watched on his return from a long absence, while Joes Edge has become unreliable. All In The Stars lost no caste in defeat in the Hennessy last month and has to be respected, although he may find this coming too soon and of more interest may be Nicky Henderson's Liberthine, who returns to the scene of his Mildmay Of Flete success and has claims if staying today's longer trip. The distance will hold no fears for It Takes Time though and he looks the safest call.
Royal Auclair (FR) 40-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, no danger after, 5th of 7, 21l behind Kingscliff (11-8) at Haydock 3m chs Grd 1 (A) gs in Nov.
It Takes Time (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up, mistake 5th, headway 17th, hit 2 out, soon ridden, kept on flat, 4th of 19, 1 1/2l behind Garvivonnian (10-4) at Aintree 3m 3f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Nov.
Lord Sam (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Made most from 3rd to 6th, stayed prominent, slow jump 11th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 18, 12l behind Our Vic (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Nov.
Joes Edge (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, driven 14th, hampered 16th, soon struggling, tailed off, 11th of 19, well behind Trabolgan (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Nov.
Ballycassidy (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Prominent, jumped left 6th and 7th, left 5 out until approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, eased once beaten, tailed off, 10th of 19, well behind Trabolgan (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Nov.
Fork Lightning (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, steady headway from 8th, led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar '04 beating Shardam (10-7) by 2l, 11 ran.
Liberthine (FR) 33-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, hit 4 out, stayed on from 2 out but not a danger, 7th of 18, 14l behind Our Vic (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Nov.
Exit Swinger (FR) 66-1 (10-3) unseated rider in race won by Garvivonnian (10-4) at Aintree 3m 3f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Nov, 19 ran.
Liverpool Echo (FR) 14-1 (10-1) Hit 1st, never better than mid-division, 8th of 16, 27l behind Tango Royal (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (A) gd in Jul.
All In The Stars (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Held up and behind, blundered 5 out, headway when mistake 3 out, stayed on, nearest finish, 5th of 19, 7l behind Trabolgan (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Nov.
Lord Maizey (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Mid-division, hampered 1st, behind after, 7th of 12, 33l behind Direct Access (10-0) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (A) sft in Nov.
