led until before 11th, chased winner until weakened before 4 out
held up, headway approaching 11th, chased leaders 14th, ridden and went 2nd approaching 4 out, no impression on winner before 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out, left modest 4th 2 out
chased leaders, went 3rd 12th until 4 out, weakened next
took keen hold tracking leader, hit 5th and lost 2nd, 2nd again 10th, led before next, clear 2 out, eased close home
held up in rear, hit 7th, blundered 9th, headway under pressure before 3 out, left modest 3rd and slightly hampered 2 out
chased leaders, hit 7th, lost 3rd 12th, ridden and weakened 14th
held up in last pair, headway approaching 11th, 3rd 4 out, keeping on same pace and no impression when fell 2 out
Bertie Boru produced another shocking round of jumping before getting rid of Richard Johnson at Sandown and it's no surprise that the champion-elect switches here to the less-exposed THREE FACES WEST. He couldn't live with Milansbar here last time but the pair finished a long way clear and the winner ran a cracking race in Saturday's Midlands Grand National off a higher mark. This better ground will suit Drop Out Joe, who may have needed his Doncaster run, while Godsmejudge has been showing signs of a revival lately. The Nicholls pair Howlongisafoot and Just A Par would have a chance on their best form but neither has sparkled lately.
Drop Out Joe 4-1 (11-8) Led, headed 6 out, weakened before 4 out, 5th of 6, dist behind The Last Samuri (11-6) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Just A Par (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Behind, mistake 14th, never on terms, 9th of 15, 33l behind Carole's Destrier (11-10) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Howlongisafoot (IRE) 7-2cfav (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, not fluent 11th, mistake and well beaten 3 out, 4th from 2 out, 4th of 6, 26 3/4l behind Minella Reception (10-13) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Azure Fly (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Prominent, slow 4th, weakened 12th, behind from 6 out, pulled up before 4 out, at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Three Faces West (IRE) 2-1fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and always held, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Milansbar (11-3) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Bertie Boru (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-8) Hld up in 6th, blundered and lost place 4th, closer order 8th, blundered and unseated rider 15th, at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Godsmejudge (IRE) 3-1fav (10-8) Tracked leaders, left 2nd from 2nd, soon with winner, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 5th of 10, 16l behind Saint Are (11-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Wilton Milan (IRE) 9-1 (12-5) Chased leaders, hit 15th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on run-in, 4th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Jennys Surprise (11-12) at Sandown 3m (3) sft in Mar.
