led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out
always towards rear
hit 6th, always towards rear
in touch, ridden to take narrow advantage 2 out, headed last, kept on but soon held
tracked leader, hit 5th, lost second and mistake 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders until 11th, soon behind
towards rear when fell 4 out
in touch, headway 4 out, challenged 2 out, led last, ran on well, ridden out
held up and keen, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on, switched left flat, went third near finish, not reach leaders
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
mid-division, dropped rear and ridden 4 out, stayed on again from 2 out, never dangerous
chased leaders until 6th, steadily lost place, behind when hit 10th, tailed off
mid-division, headway 11th, ridden approaching 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, no extra and lost two places flat
The Ditcheat and Nicholashayne yards have had a stranglehold on this race and it would be no great surprise to see them land the prize again but we're going to take them on with Glenfinn Captain. The selection looked a potential top notcher early in his career but hasn't looked the same horse since falling on his second and final start of his novice season in 2006. However, there were signs on his latest run behind Schindlers Hunt that he could be coming back to himself, he's on an attractive mark and should relish his first attempt at this longer trip. Timmy Murphy has yet to commit to one of David Johnson's trio but his chosen mount will no doubt be considered to be the combination's leading chance; Abragante would appear to make most appeal on the book. Ofarel D'Airy is a fresh horse and respected but was disappointing last time, Fundamentalist may have left his race at Aintree, Boychuk doesn't always look straightforwards but we wouldn't rule out either him or Hasty Prince but we think that it's Glenfinn Captain who will be carrying the McManus silks to victory.
Celestial Gold (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, chased leaders approaching 4 out, no impression from next, 7th of 17, 29l behind Oedipe (10-4) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division when fell at the 3rd in race won by Comply Or Die (10-9) at Aintree 4m 4f Grand National (1) gd, 40 ran.
Vodka Bleu (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the 19th in race won by Comply Or Die (10-9) at Aintree 4m 4f Grand National (1) gd, 40 ran.
Calatagan (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Behind, weakened from 7th, 13th of 18, 37l behind Stan (9-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Il Duce (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) In touch, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Mister McGoldrick (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 22 ran.
Ofarel D'airy (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, mistake 14th, struggling after next, 10th of 14, well behind An Accordion (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Yes Sir (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Held up, hit 2nd, pushed along 8th, hit 10th, soon weakened, last of 6, well behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) gd.
Hasty Prince 9-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway after 10th, ridden and effort after 3 out, one pace from next, 6th of 17, 14l behind Tiger Cry (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Stan (NZ) 25-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well, won at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs beating Dev (10-0) by 2l, 18 ran.
Glenfinn Captain (IRE) 9-2 (10-3) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, moderate 8th 4 out, stayed on from next, 5th of 11, 8l behind Schindlers Hunt (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs gs in Mar.
Abragante (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Held up and behind, raced keenly, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and one pace approaching 2 out, 5th of 14, 9l behind An Accordion (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Boychuk (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) In touch, ridden after 4 out, no impression, 5th of 17, 28l behind Oedipe (10-4) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd.
Which Pocket (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) In touch, hampered 10th (Becher's Brook), gradually weakened, 10th of 29, well behind Gwanako (11-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd.
Kelrev (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Held up, hampered and unseated rider at the 10th in race won by Out The Black (11-4) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd, 13 ran.