chased leaders, struggling 10th, never on terms, weakened 4 out, tailed off
behind, struggling 10th, never near leaders, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, lost place 8th, soon behind, no danger after, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
behind, headway into mid-diviison, 6th, struggling before 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, headway into 4th before 5 out, one pace 3 out, went 3rd before last, ridden and kept on flat, not reach front pair
mid-division, close up 5th, tracked leader after 7th, poised to challenge 5 out, led after next, 3 lengths clear last, ridden and kept on flat, headed towards finish, no extra
behind, struggling 10th, never dangerous, tailed off
led, clear to 5th, went clear again 6 out to next, headed after 4 out, soon ridden, weakened into 4th before last
tracked clear leader, close up 5th, went 3rd after 7th, ridden to chase leader after 3 out, 3 lengths down last, stayed on well flat, led towards finish
Benvolio has failed to complete in a couple of subsequent starts since finishing runner-up in last year's Welsh Grand National while Danimix landed a double in October but testing ground is a worry for him. TOP WOOD is preferred despite returning from an absence as David Pipe's chaser remains unexposed over fences and was placed off similar marks earlier in the year. Tour Des Champs is capable on his day and has gone well fresh before but Theatrical Star has lost his form of late having made a promising return to action at Cheltenham in October.
Benvolio (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, weakened 17th, pulled up approaching 2 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Danimix (IRE) 4-1fav (11-1) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders when mistake 13th, lost place 5 out, soon behind, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Benbens (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Theatrical Star 8-1 (11-3) With leaders, weakened from 11th, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Vieux Lion Rouge (11-6) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Victors Serenade (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division, mistake 4th, struggling after 12th, tailed off before 5 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Samingarry (11-4) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Firebird Flyer (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, pulled up, at Haydock 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Top Wood (FR) 11-4fav (11-9) Pressed leader, led and jumped right from 3rd, clear 8th, reduced advantage 2 out, ridden and headed when hung right flat, dropped to 4th near finish, 4th of 8, 3l behind Red Devil Lads (11-9) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Rebeccas Choice (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Held up off the pace, towards rear, plugged on, never involved, 6th of 9, 22 1/2l behind San Benedeto (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Rigadin De Beauchene (FR) 20-1 (10-2) Led 2nd, hit 3rd, headed 6th, led 8th, headed 13th, led 14th until 15th, led 16th, headed 3 out, soon beaten, 9th of 17, 9 1/4l behind Sausalito Sunrise (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Tour Des Champs (FR) 11-1 (10-4) Led, headed 9th, regained lead next, headed 13th, in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon lost place, kept on same pace from next, 5th of 23, 11 3/4l behind Holywell (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
