held up in touch, headway to go 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, led before last, ridden and stayed on well flat
always in rear
mid-division on inside, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, never on terms
mid-division, lost place 7th, behind from 4 out
mid-division, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, never near leaders
led, headed and blundered 8th, remained in touch, ridden to chase leading pair after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no chance with front pair
mistake 1st, soon mid-division, lost place when mistake 5 out, behind when blundered 3 out
held up in touch, 8th and under pressure when blundered 4 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, headway to lead 8th, ridden and headed before last, kept on under pressure flat, no impression
mistake 1st, behind, struggling when mistake 7th, tailed off 3 out
prominent, mistake 6th (water), lost place 5 out, 5th and under pressure when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear of mid-division, under pressure when mistake 8th, kept on from 2 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, chased leader 4 out until next, weakened 2 out
Nonrunner
Tartak was made favourite for his reappearance at Aintree but never threatened to land a blow. All of his wins have come at flat tracks so there is a question mark about him here. On 9lb better terms, Bangor winner Fiendish Flame should get a lot closer to Safari Journey than he did at Ascot while Woolcombe Folly's record is hard to fault. The top weight has won three of four starts over fences but did disappoint at the Festival here last season. OH CRICK, on the other hand, tends to reserve his best efforts for this track and clearly needed the run when well beaten here last month. Very capable on his day, the handicapper has given him a chance today.
Woolcombe Folly (IRE) 7-2fav (11-6) Held up in last pair and patienly ridden, steady headway on outside approaching 4 out, led going easily approaching 2 out, soon quickened clear, went left last, easily, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Nov beating Piraya (11-4) by 5l, 8 ran.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Chased leading trio, blundered 10th, no impression from 12th, left poor 2nd and hampered 3 out, 2nd of 6, 16l behind Master Minded (11-11) at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Cornas (NZ) 7-2 (10-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, behind 8th, closed from 3 out, no impression on leaders, 6th of 9, 14l behind Tchico Polos (10-4) at Exeter 2m 1f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Consigliere (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Held up in last trio, headway on inside 4 out, effort between horses and pressed leaders 2 out, 3rd soon after, disputing well held 2nd last, no extra last half furlong, lost 3rd post, 4th of 8, 7l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Oh Crick (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leading trio, pushed along before 4 out, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, 42l behind Gauvain (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m chs (2) gs in Nov.
Fiendish Flame (IRE) 5-2 (11-8) Made all, driven clear approaching 2 out, ran on well, unchallenged, won at Bangor 2m 1f grad ch (2) sft in Nov beating Calgary Bay (11-8) by 8l, 4 ran.
Safari Journey (USA) 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, good headway on inside 4 out, chased leader 3 out, pushed along when not much room on inside before 2 out, stayed in one paced 3rd until hit last and weakened to 3rd flat, 4th of 11, 14l behind Dave's Dream (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
I'm Delilah 11-2 (10-4) Led, quickened 2 out, 1 length clear and staying on when fell last, in a race won by Noble Alan (10-4) at Kelso 2m 1f Ltd hcp chs (2) gd in Nov, 5 ran.
Tanks For That (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Close up in 3rd, not fluent 4th, mistake 3 out, weakened before next, last of 4, 37l behind Smack That (10-10) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Perce Rock 50-1 (11-6) Held up in rear until fell 6th, in a race won by Aigle D'or (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Grand Lahou (FR) 25-1 (10-4) Led hit 6th, joined 3 out, ridden and not much room when headed before next, soon not pace of winner, kept on well to hold 2nd, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Dave's Dream (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Tramantano 40-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 6 out, some headway next, weakened approaching 4 out, 10th of 15, well behind Mount Oscar (10-11) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Mam Ratagan 22-1 (11-7) Led, not fluent 4th, stayed on well under pressure from 4 out until ridden and headed 2 out, chased leader until outpaced to 3rd final 150 yards, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Little George (11-5) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Tartak (FR) 15-8fav (10-9) Tracked leaders in 5th, hit 5th and 9th, left 4th 4 out, went 3rd soon after, outpaced next, no chance with leading pair from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 29l behind Monet's Garden (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Oct.
