held up mid-division, headway 5 out, in 3rd and going well when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out, led 3 out, held on well
mid-division, headway after 6 out, pushed along and hampered 4 out, no impression
tracked leders in 3rd, weakened before 3 out
in rear, pushed along before 5 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, in 5th when fell 4 out
held up mid-division, weakened before 5 out
held up mid-division, weakened from 5 out, pulled up
led, headed 3 out, kept on and held towards finish
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, one pace and left 3rd from 2 out
with leader, weakened from 5 out, hampered next
always towards rear
Another ultra-competitive handicap in which the weights are headed by Valdez, who won three times in his novice season including a fast-run Grade 2 at Doncaster in January. Poole Master just beat Grey Gold over track and trip in February and there should be little between the pair again today while Rebel Rebellion won the Grand Sefton at Aintree in December. But that was over a longer trip and he remains 7lb higher. EASTLAKE came to hand early last season, beating Anay Turge at Aintree. He improved throughout last season and, though behind Grey Gold and Rebel Rebellion at Sandown in February, is better off with that pair here taking into account Raymond O'Brien's claim. Filbert would have a chance at the weights and could be best of the rest with the prolific Umberto D'Olivate stepping up a grade.
Valdez 5-6fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 8th, headed after 5 out, soon pushed along, beaten before 2 out, 2nd of 5, 20l behind Eduard (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Apr.
Grey Gold (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up in mid-division, headway after 5th, went close up from 4 out, led flat, driven 2 lengths clear 100 yards out, headed close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Poole Master (10-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Eastlake (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division, tracked leaders 12th (canal turn), went 3rd after 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with winner, 3rd of 30, 9l behind Ma Filleule (11-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, hit 10th, headway after 13th, mistake and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 15, well behind Victors Serenade (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs.
Majala (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, driven to challenge flat, led close home, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Apr beating Roudoudou Ville (10-13) by nk, 12 ran.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 7-1 (11-12) With leaders, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, well behind Workbench (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd.
Poole Master 20-1 (11-0) With leader to 6th, in touch, lost place 11th (foinavon), chased leaders under pressure 2 out, weakened last, 12th of 30, 30l behind Ma Filleule (11-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr.
Drumshambo (USA) 40-1 (11-2) Always behind, 13th of 23, 32l behind Savello (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Upsilon Bleu (FR) 5-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 6 out, ridden and not fluent 3 out, chased clear pair before last, no impression, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Le Bacardy (10-1) at Ayr 2m lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Apr.
Filbert (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up, not that fluent, in last pair 3rd, headway before 3 out, no impression, weakened before next, 5th of 8, 29l behind Grey Gold (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) hvy in Feb.
Umberto D'olivate (FR) Evensfav (11-12) Held up last, reminder after 7th, headway on outside next, chased leading pair 9th, ridden before went 2nd 4 out, led well before next, joined 2 out, strongly pressed last, stayed on gamely to assert final 110 yards, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar beating Last Shot (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Anay Turge (FR) 20-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, lost place after 4th, pushed along from 8th, brief effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 16, 30l behind Parsnip Pete (10-10) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
