not fluent 1st, held up, mistake 9th, some headway under pressure approaching 3 on, stayed on to go 2nd last, lost 2nd near finish
held up, headway 14th, challenged for 2nd 2 out, weakening when not fluent last
held up, struggling 14th, mistake 16th, well behind 3 out, headway after 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd near finish
prominent, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon held by winner, weakened approaching last
close up, went right 4th, weakened 16th, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, gradually faded
led until 4th, prominent until weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
tracked leaders, led and jumped right from 3 out, in command from 2 out, comfortably
held up, losing touch when mistake 17th, soon ridden, stayed on again approaching last
mid-division until dropped rear 8th, lost touch 14th
Baron Windrush stays all day and he is fancied to score ahead of L'Ami and Simon. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his stable in top form and the selection is unlikely to want for fitness despite his absence. He signed off with a win in the Midlands Grand National and he can record another victory here to complete the hat-trick. Simon fell when last seen in the Grand National but John Spearing's gelding cannot be easily overlooked here although he may prefer softer ground. Jaunty Times has more to come following some poor efforts last time, whilst D'Argent is certainly capable on his day. Bob Bob Bobbin will presumably be aimed at the Welsh National again but may just need this run, although he has gone well fresh in the past. L'Ami is a talented performer and should be fit from a recent outing so has claims, however Baron Windrush is given the vote.
L'ami (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, pushed along 4 out, ridden next, gradually weakened, 10th of 40, well behind Silver Birch (10-6) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Simon 20-1 (10-11) In touch, fell 25th (Valentine's) fell 5 out in race won by Silver Birch (10-6) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Cornish Sett (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Chased leaders in 4th, weakened soon after 4 out, 6th of 10, 26l behind Hot Weld (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Baron Windrush 12-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 17th, led approaching 5 out, clear from 4 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Mar beating D'Argent (11-5) by 12l, 18 ran.
D'Argent (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistakes 2nd and 5th, remainders after 8th, headway 18th, chased winner before 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 18, 12l behind Baron Windrush (10-9) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Mar.
Bob Bob Bobbin 100-1 (11-10) With leaders, weakened and blundered 13th, tailed off 17th, pulled up before 4 out pulled up 4 out in race won by Kauto Star (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Comply Or Die (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Reminders after 10th, always towards rear, 16th of 19, well behind Knowhere (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Sir Rembrandt (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Mid-division, struggling 18th, soon beaten, 13th of 23, well behind Hot Weld (9-9) at Ayr 4m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Jaunty Times 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along after 3rd, struggling from 11th, 7th of 10, well behind Aces Four (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
L'Aventure (FR) 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division, struggling 18th, soon beaten, 10th of 23, well behind Hot Weld (9-9) at Ayr 4m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gf in Apr.
