mid-division, pushed along approaching 15th, plugged on from 5 out, weakened from 2 out
behind, hit 1st and reminders, reminders again after 4th, hit 6th, tailed off from 15th, pulled up 6 out
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders on outer after 6th, soon dropped into mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 15th, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on strongly from last
held up towards rear, short lived effort on inside approaching 12th, soon pushed along and lost place, ridden after 5 out, plugged on, no impression
held up behind, hit 5th, mistake 6 out, headway to chase leaders before 5 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened from 13th, pulled up before 2 out, tailed off
held up in touch, chased leaders in 5th when blundered and stumbled badly 5 out, soon weakened, refused 3 out
towards rear, hit 4th, outpaced from 13th, never dangerous
tracked leaders on outer and keen, took closer order 5th, ridden before 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders and keen, ridden before 4 out, hit next, one pace from 2 out
prominent, hit 3rd, ridden and in 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on, no impression on front pair
led and keen, clear approaching 3 out, headed and blundered 2 out, ridden and kept on from last, always held by winner
held up mid-division, not fluent 10th and soon lost place, pushed along after 11th, weakened 12th, pulled up before 6 out
in rear and keen, good headway on outer to track leaders 8th, weakened after 17th, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, in 6th and looking one pace when fell 5 out
prominent, weakening when hit 4 out
held up behind, some headway approaching 4 out, soon ridden and never a factor
held up mid-division, chased leaders after 6th, soon mid-division, reminders approaching 15th, soon weakened, pulled up 4 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Last year's Midlands Grand National winner Synchronised has been the subject of significant ante-post support for this and connections have protected his mark with a couple of prep races over hurdles. He looks sure to go close and has the edge in experience over novice Watamu Bay, who looks to be on a high enough mark on his handicap bow. Exmoor Ranger stayed on after the last when third over 3m2f at Cheltenham last time but this longer trip is new territory and he is still prone to errors. Last year's first and second, Dream Alliance and Silver By Nature, are respectively 9lb and 20lb higher this time around and hard to fancy but Irish raider Arbor Supreme has plenty in his favour and could make the frame while Dance Island may still have a bit of scope. But the vote goes to MAKTU, who looks a real stayer in the making and ran a cracking trial for this over an inadequate trip at Haydock in November when just touched off by King Fontaine. He's struck up a good understanding with Michael Murphy, whose 3lb claim could be invaluable on the forecast soft ground.
Silver By Nature 25-1 (10-0) Blunderd 1st, always in rear, hampered 4th, pecked 10th, tailed off from 15th, 10th of 18, well behind Diamond Harry (10-0) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Dream Alliance 66-1 (9-9) Towards rear, tailed off when went right 14th, pulled up after next, in a race won by Diamond Harry (10-0) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Synchronised (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Mid-division, lost place 8th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, never troubled leaders, 6th of 16, 8l behind Lush Life (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Watamu Bay (IRE) 1-5fav (11-4) Led and soon clear, reduced lead before 9th, narrowly headed after 10th, led again next, clear 14th, blundered and reduced lead 4 out, reminder soon after, in command before 2 out, pushed out flat, comfortably, won at Exeter 3m nov chs (3) sft in Nov beating Tarateeno (10-7) by 5l, 3 ran.
Exmoor Ranger (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden along 11th, racing on outside when hit 4 out, chased leading pair 2 out, one pace and no impression before last, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Midnight Chase (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Dec.
Arbor Supreme (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight, 9th of 17, 42l behind Jack The Bus (9-12) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 in Nov.
Dance Island (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd approaching 2 out, soon no chance with winner, kept on, 2nd of 8, 11l behind King Fontaine (11-1) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Ballyfoy (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Bumped 1st, towards rear, last and struggling 8th, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, never going pace to threaten, 5th of 12, 14l behind Time For Spring (10-12) at Ascot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Maktu 13-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear and keen, not fluent 10th, hit 11th, chased leaders approaching next, led 2 out, ridden and joined last, kept on gamely flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind King Fontaine (11-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Ballyfitz 40-1 (11-12) Mid-division, struggling 8th, kept on under pressure from 3 out, never reached leaders, 4th of 18, 27l behind Grands Crus (10-10) at Haydock 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
I'moncloudnine (IRE) 17-2 (10-8) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 5th, hampered 13th (bechers brook), 4th and in touch when hit and unseated rider 15th (canal turn), in a race won by Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Giles Cross (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) In touch, mistake 14th, lost place after 16th, soon behind and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Midnight Chase (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Royal Rosa (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Mid-division, hampered 11th, left 4th 16th (valentines), headway 3 out, went 2nd next, ridden after last, kept on and every chance passing elbow, no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Magic Sky (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 5f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Free World (11-0) at Kempton 2m Nat Hunt Flat (5yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Bench Warrent (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, with leaders 9th, jumped right and blundered 17th, led 4 out, ridden headed approaching 3 out, disputing 6th and held when fell 2 out, in a race won by Peut Etre Sivola (10-4) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Flight Leader (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 3 out, weakened 13th, 7th of 8, well behind Wymott (11-7) at Exeter 3m nov chs (4) gs in Dec.
Dashing George (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Close up, blundered badly 1st, weakened after 2 out, 9th of 17, 38l behind Blazing Bailey (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Old Benny 12-1 (11-6) Towards rear, not fluent and reminders 8th, headway approaching 13th, lost place 15th, rallied 17th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 32l behind West End Rocker (11-11) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
Eric's Charm (FR) 66-1 (11-9) Went right at some fences, held up towards rear, struggling 14th, tailed off, 9th of 17, well behind Midnight Chase (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Theatre Dance (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Mid-division, outpaced 11th, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 15, 23l behind Only Vintage (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
