held up mid-division, behind from 11th, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, not fluent 2nd, niggled along when jumped left 5 out, soon ridden and struggling, pulled up before 3 out
always well placed, every chance before 5 out, weakened 3 out
held up and behind, headway 11th, ridden after 4 out, left 2nd 3 out, led after 2 out, blundered and left clear last, eased close home
chased leader, led after 4 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, 2 lengths 2nd when stumbled badly last, not recover
led, headed after 4 out, 2 lengths 2nd when fell 3 out
in rear, blundered 1st, mistake 4th, last when blundered and unseated rider 11th
prominent, mistake 13th, weakening when mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, pushed along approaching 5 out, soon struggling, left poor 4th 3 out
NonRunner
Sojourn made a winning debut over fences when successful at Market Rasen. But he meets stronger opposition off a 10lb higher mark today and SHANNON BRIDGE is preferred. The latter posted his best effort over fences so far when third at Aintree in October and with that run under his belt, Dan Skelton’s charge gets the vote racing off the same mark today. Dominateur and Trio For Rio ended last season with victories over hurdles but neither figured on their recent chasing bows and Down The Highway also struggled on his first start over the larger obstacles.
Shannon Bridge (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, plugged on in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 6 1/4l behind Plan Of Attack (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Down The Highway (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, outpaced from 2 out, blundered badly last, last of 5, dist behind Black Op (11-4) at Stratford 2m 5f (4) sft in Oct.
Trio For Rio (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Prominent on outside, not fluent and lost place 4th, behind 11th, mistake 4 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Champagne Mystery (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Dominateur (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 6 out to chase leaders, fell next, at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Sojourn (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, challenged going well 4 out, led before next, drew clear from 2 out, won at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Thelongwayaround (11-8) by 16l, 6 ran.
Diamond Fort (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, under pressure after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 11, 30 1/4l behind Django Django (11-7) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Imperial Knight (IRE) 2-1 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Larkbarrow Lad (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Saint De Vassy (FR) 9-4 (10-12) Prominent on inside, driven and outpaced by front pair after 4 out, ridden and no chance in clear 3rd after next, 3rd of 6, 18 1/4l behind Young Bull (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Financial Outcome (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Behind most of way, struggling 11th, tailed off 3 out, 4th of 8, 26 1/4l behind De Forgotten One (11-0) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Worthy Farm (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 6th, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 11, 26l behind Notachance (10-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
