led, dived at 2nd, headed approaching next, chased leaders, fell 7th
chased leaders early, soon towards rear, badly hampered 7th, never able to recover, pulled up before 5 out
chased leaders, 2nd at 3rd, pushed along before 4 out, lost 2nd before 3 out, 2nd again at the last, no chance with winner
held up in last pair, closing on leaders going well when fell 5 out
took keen hold in rear, never a factor, tailed off
in touch, headway chasing leaders 8th, outpaced approaching 4 out, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in
chased leaders, blundered and weakened 4 out
took keen hold early and restrained in mid-division, smooth headway on inside tracking leaders in 3rd 5 out, 2nd before 3 out, led soon after 3 out, soon clear, heavily eased run-in
keen, led approaching 3rd, went right 6th and next, clear 5 out, pushed along and reduced lead when blundered badly 3 out, soon headed, no chance with winner, weakened last
Mystifiable is a couple of pounds out of the handicap but would have claims in this off bottom weight. Romain De Senam has solid form over 2m but appeared to find 2m4f too far at Kempton last season. Village Vic gets little respite from the handicapper but Double Shuffle is interesting despite having a first run since pulling up in the Grand National in April. Arthur's Oak has a good strike-rate so can't be ruled out, though has an even longer absence to overcome. Colin Tizzard may hold the key to this as he saddles Ultragold and SIZING GRANITE. Both won their final starts of last season but Bryan Cooper's mount looks the one to beat if reproducing the form of his victory at Punchestown in April.
Village Vic (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Tracked leader until 6th, weakened after next, behind when pulled up before 9th, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Sizing Granite (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 7th, led 4 out, went clear 2 out, pushed out and stayed on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr beating Viconte Du Noyer (11-3) by 5l, 14 ran.
Double Shuffle (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Close up on outer, lost place 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Arthur's Oak 7-1 (11-12) Made most until before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, 15 1/2l behind Yorkist (10-4) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Different Gravey (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Soon in rear, pushed along before 5th, detached 7th, pulled up after 7th, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gd in Apr.
Ultragold (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Always prominent, joined leader after 16th, ridden to lead approaching elbow, kept on well, won at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr beating Katnap (10-0) by 1l, 29 ran.
Wadswick Court (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, tracked leaders 5 out, outpaced 3 out, no impression after, 6th of 13, 16 3/4l behind Ballybolley (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gs in Sep.
Romain De Senam (FR) 11-2 (10-2) Mid-division, hampered 5 out, driven and headway 3 out, ridden to chase front pair after next, kept on to take narrow 2nd closing stages, no impression with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Vaniteux (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Mystifiable 7-2 (10-13) Prominent, led narrowly before 5th, made rest, pressed from 2 out, 1 length advantage last, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure flat, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Special Catch (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
