behind when unseated rider 8th
in touch until mistake and weakened 17th
behind when fell 16th
always behind
behind, no impression when mistake 17th, tailed off
behind when unseated rider 7th
held up in touch, steady headway 15th, went prominent 4 out, chased winner before 2 out, challenged last, kept on under pressure flat but always just held
close up, mistake 15th, soon weakened
behind, kept on from 4 out, never in contention
mid-division, weakened 12th, soon tailed off
in touch until mistake and weakened 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, weakened and behind from 12th, tailed off
behind, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
chased leaders, blundered 3rd, went 2nd 8th, hit 11th, left in narrow lead 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, 4th and weakened when blundered last
always behind
behind, struggling 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 16th
prominent, hit 13th, left 3rd 4 out, mistake 3 out, 3rd and no impression when blundered 2 out
mid-division, weakened 14th, tailed off
in touch, headway 13th, went 3rd 16th, left 2nd 4 out, led well before 2 out, joined last, edged right, held on under pressure flat (saddle slipped)
behind, tailed of when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, behind when blundered 15th and 17th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, joined but still travelling well when blundered and fell 4 out
always behind
chased leader to 8th, soon weakened, blundered 15th, tailed off
We have some classy performers in this contest, and the ones that stand out on that basis are Sleeping Night, Lord Atterbury and Lord Of The Turf, with the vote going to Sleeping Night. Sleeping Night was very classy under Rules, attaining a rating of 168 at his best, and he showed that he retained plenty of ability when romping away from Cantarhino last time and, given a clear round, he looks the one to beat today. Last year's Grand National third, Lord Atterbury, has been trained with this race in mind - although that was the same last year when he disappointed - but, if at or near his bet, he clearly holds a very good chance. Foly Pleasant is another that was very useful under Rules, and he has retained plenty of ability based on recent evidence, while the dual winner of this race, Earthmover, has maintained his form well, particularly for a 14-year-old and he will gain the emotional vote. Finally, the Irish raider Lord Of The Turf won well on hock-deep going at Leopardstown last time, although that does represent very good form and he too will justifiably have his supporters. With that last point in mind, monitor the betting markets but, overall, we will stick with Sleeping Night.
Ballysicyos (FR) 13-8 won at Great Trethew 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Cantenac Brown by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Cantarinho 5-4fav Led, blundered 10th, headed approaching 14th, weakened after 4 out, 3rd of 7, well behind Tanager at Newbury 3m hts chs (H) gs.
Colquhoun 7-4 won at Black Forest Ldg 3m ptp frm in Feb beating Phoenix Phlyer by 1l, 7 ran.
County Derry 1-2fav won at Larkhill 4m ptp gf beating Father Mansfield by 2l, 10 ran.
Earthmover (IRE) 2-1 Prominent, led after 4th, made rest, hit last, driven out, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hts chs (H) gs in Feb beating Mrs Be by 2l, 7 ran.
First Down Jets (IRE) 10-1 Prominent, 4th when slight mistake 8th, 3rd and ridden 5 out, led approaching next, headed 3 out, beaten when fell in race won by General Montcalm at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hts chs sft in Feb, 16 ran.
Foly Pleasant (FR) 7-4fav Prominent, led 5 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Silence Reigns at Bangor 2m 4f hts chs (H) gs in Feb.
Free Gift 1-2fav Led, narrowly headed 10th, led next, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no impression and beaten before last, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Paddy For Paddy at Folkestone 3m 1f hts chs (H) gs in Feb.
Gatsby (IRE) 11-2 Held up, hampered 1st and 8th, chased leaders 4 out, led over 2 out, ran on, won at Huntingdon 3m nov hts chs (H) sft in Feb '04 beating Mighty Willing by 7l, 17 ran.
General Claremont (IRE) 7-2jt-fav Tracked leaders, ridden after 18th, weakened 4 out, behind when blundered 3 out, soon pulled up pulled up 2 out in race won by Cobreces at Ludlow 3m 1f hts chs (H) gd, 10 ran.
General Montcalm (IRE) 7-2 Always prominent, 4th 5 out, headway next, led 3 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hts chs sft in Feb beating Van Ness by 10l, 16 ran.
Jabiru (IRE) 3-1 Mid-division, headway 7th, led bit 4 out, ridden approaching last, ran on, won at Taunton 3m hts chs (H) gs beating Ready To Rumble by 5l, 10 ran.
Kingston Venture 7-2 won at Stafford Cross 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Ballysicyos by 8l, 7 ran.
Lord Atterbury (IRE) 5-4fav Blundered 1st, mistake 6th, headway to join leaders 14th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 11, 29l behind Torduff Express at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (B) gf in May.
Lord Of The Turf (IRE) 8-1 Always prominent, 2nd from 6 out, led 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed after next, stayed on well under pressure to draw clear from last, won at Leopardstown 3m hts chs sft in Feb beating Never Compromise by 8l, 7 ran.
Ourman (IRE) 5-1 2nd of 7, 11l behind Ramirez at Welbeck 3m ptp gd.
Placid Man (IRE) 2-7fav won at Higham 3m ptp gf in Jan beating Lucky Master by 15l, 5 ran.
Polar Champ 1-5fav won at Ottery St Mary 3m ptp gd beating The Sovereign Man by 20l, 5 ran.
Sleeping Night (FR) 4-7fav Held up, always going well, headway 8th, led 3 out, clear after 2 out, very easy, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hts chs (H) gd in Feb beating Cantarinho by 23l, 16 ran.
Supreme Silence (IRE) 6-1 Tracked leaders, outpaced after 10th, headway 13th, went 2nd after next, hit 3 out, led and left clear last, won at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hts chs (H) sft beating The Vintage Dancer by a distance, 4 ran.
Tanager 16-1 Chased leaders, led 14th, narrowly headed 3 out, 2 lengths down when not fluent last, rallied to lead run in, ridden out, won at Newbury 3m hts chs (H) gs beating Silence Reigns by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
The Wipper (IRE) won at Lemonfield 3m Irish pt-to-pt in Mar beating Icy Calm by 15l.
Just Cliquot 11-4 won at Whitwick Manor 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Unmistakably by a hd, 16 ran.
Phelans Fancy (IRE) 9-4 won at Downpatrick 2m 7f hts chs gd beating Mexico Way by 20l, 14 ran.
