prominent, led 2nd until 6th, with leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching final furlong
led after 1st until next, chased leaders until weakened after 7th
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, headway 7th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on run-in
towards rear, ridden and weakened after 7th, pulled up before 3 out
held up behind, steady progress from 5th, tracked leaders after 7th, short lived effort approaching 3 out
in touch, mistake 5th, ridden after 7th, weakened after 3 out
led until after 1st, prominent, led 7th, ridden and hung left from 3 out, stayed on well
chased leaders until 6th, soon weakened
in touch, headway 7th, ridden to press leaders 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden after 4th, weakened after 6th, tailed off
in touch, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before final furlong
Clan Royal, Dunbell Boy and Dere Lyn are three against the field in this wide open affair and the vote is given to Clan Royal. The selection was last seen when carried out in the Grand National when travelling well. He returns to the fray over hurdles to protect his chasing mark and off a handy mark he will be hard to beat under conditions that suit. Dunbell Boy rates the main danger on his best form but he was very disappointing last time out. However the return to this faster surface should suit and he should go well at a price. Dere Lyn is another worthy of respect as he looks to be on a handy mark and is sure to strip fitter here than on his first run of the season. He's The Guv'nor has been let down by his jumping over fences of late and returns to hurdles here. However he looks vulnerable to a less exposed type off this mark. Of the remainder Mrs Pickles is on a handy mark and could go well at a price under her optimum conditions but for the winner we return to Clan Royal .
Miss Fahrenheit (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Prominent, lost place 4th, behind from 8th, tailed off, last of 7, well behind On Y Va (11-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
Vanormix (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up, reminders 7th, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, one pace after, 5th of 6, 9l behind Stanway (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f beg chs (E) gd in Apr.
He's The Guv'nor (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Held up, jumped left, bumped and unseated rider in race won by Avitta (10-13) at Haydock 2m 6f nov chs (D) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Clan Royal (FR) 9-1 (10-11) Pulled hard in touch, breast plate broke and saddled slipped early, leading when carried out at the 22th in race won by Hedgehunter (11-1) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
Dere Lyn 50-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, weakened 6th, 14th of 19, 40l behind All Star (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Keepers Mead (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed, hanging left from 3 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind On Y Va (11-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
Mrs Pickles 16-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden and kept on one pace from 3 out, 4th of 11, 7l behind In The Hat (10-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Nov.
Dunbell Boy (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) In touch, lost place 4 out, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Miko de Beauchene (11-8) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
