towards rear, headway home turn, pushed along and pressed leaders 3 out where not fluent, led narrowly 2 out, ridden run-in and stayed on gamely, headed towards finish
in rear, pushed along after 7th, well behind 3 out, pulled up
towards rear, pushed along and closed up home turn, ridden 2 out, not pace to challenge and weakened last
pressed leader, led after 4 out, headed narrowly 2 out and ridden, kept on, no extra and always held run-in
mid-division, went 3rd after 4 out, pushed along 3 out, gradually weakened
led, headed after 4 out, remained close up in 2nd, ridden after 3 out, battled on well and every chance run-in, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, pushed along 2 out, ridden and kept on from last, never got on terms
tracked front pair, pushed along before 3 out, ridden after 3 out and kept on in close 4th 2 out, stayed on dourly run-in and led closing stages, all out
mid-division on outside, mistake and fell 3rd
The lightly-raced Walking On Air is sure to be popular with punters as he was on his comeback third at Aintree. Doyen Breed and ERNE RIVER both revert to hurdles after a spell chasing. The latter boasts an excellent all-round strike-rate and is 4lb lower than over fences so should give supporters a run for their money, despite top weight. Getalead and Pounding Poet have already won twice this season but Silver Flyer was well below par at Carlisle last month while Sirobbie weakened quickly when returning from a break at Sandown.
Erne River (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) In touch, took closer order before 4 out, ridden when mistake 2 out, jumped left last, kept on one pace, no match for winner, 2nd of 4, 11l behind Hitman (11-11) at Haydock 2m 6f (2) sft in Nov.
Uhtred (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden approaching final flight (usual 2 out), soon outpaced, weakened quickly and detached after final flight (usual 2 out), 7th of 8, 27l behind Captain Morgs (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Pounding Poet (IRE) 15-8jfav (11-8) Held up in rear, 3rd and ridden after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Copper Coin (11-7) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Walking On Air (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, not fluent 8th, mistake 3 out, 3rd and unable to quicken flat, 3rd of 13, 4 3/4l behind Romeo Brown (10-8) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Doyen Breed (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, steady headway 13th, hit 14th, not fluent 15th, ridden before 4 out, not fluent 3 out, weakening when fell 2 out, at Ayr 3m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Kansas City Chief (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place before 4th, well in rear 6th, pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Getalead (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leader who went well clear the 2nd, lost 2nd at the 6th, weakened before 2 out (normal 3 out), 6th of 10, 20 3/4l behind Unanswered (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Silver Flyer Evensfav (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, never on terms, 4th of 6, 22 3/4l behind Storm Nelson (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Sirobbie (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Towards rear, behind and struggling 7th, tailed off, 7th of 11, 26 1/4l behind Dolphin Square (11-13) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
