chased leaders in 4th, 3rd 5 out, left 2nd after 3 out and headway to lead next, driven out and kept on well run-in
chased leaders in 3rd, dropped to 4th 5 out, driven along approaching 3 out where left 3rd, no impression under pressure after 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leader in 2nd, led 4 out, travelling best when unseated rider next
led, slow 5th, slow again and headed 4 out, left in front after next, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure, no impression on winner run-in
Wellforth has been in very poor form since scoring at Fakenham last February while Saddler's Native has a strike-rate of 1-78 starts under National Hunt Rules and has never won over fences. Duroob appeared ideally suited by the 3m4f trip when landing the Ulster National at Downpatrick and is unlikely to get the stamina test he requires so GIVE US A HAND, who would have finished much closer to Cadogan in a strong handicap at Navan last time but for a mistake at the second last, is handed the vote.
Wellforth (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Soon towards rear, pulled up before 6 out, in a race won by Gentle Alice (11-6) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp chs 0-123 sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Duroob 8-1 (9-7) Towards rear early, headway into 6th at 8th, improved to 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Downpatrick 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 gd in Mar beating Talab (9-13) by 3l, 9 ran.
Give Us A Hand (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden and dropped to 3rd before last, kept on same pace under pressure, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Cadogan (11-1) at Navan 3m nov chs sft in Mar.
Saddler's Native (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Led, headed 3rd to 5th, disputed lead from next, ridden from 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Tranquil Sea (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f chs G2 (1) gd in Mar.
