prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on flat, edged left and led towards finish
held up, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on flat
held up and behind, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
held up, ridden 16th, soon behind
behind, headway 10th, led 3 out, ridden and jumped right last two, headed and no extra towards finish
always behind
towards rear, effort 15th, soon beaten
in touch, lost place 5th, no danger soon after
in touch, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, rallied approaching last, kept on flat
in touch, pecked 17th, soon ridden and outpaced
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
prominent., ridden approaching 3 out, weakened flat
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 19th, weakened approaching last
prominent., lost place and hampered after 14th
behind, headway 14th, ridden 17th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, ridden and lost place 14th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
Despite being a course and a distance winner and a recent winner, the ground conditions may have turned against likely favourite Mini Sensation who is a confirmed heavy ground specialist. Grand National winner Bindaree put in a fine performance last time out and looks to be returning to his best. He handles this track well and represents connections who landed this race last time it was run. Bobby Grant will be popular with the Merseyside punters and he is another who acts on this track. Suited by most surfaces he could have the necessary experience to land this for his shrewd and popular trainer. An outsider to consider could be the Paul Webber-trained Frosty Canyon who looks very well weighted in this contest. Two solid victories at Newbury last season proved him to be a capable performer and although not really sparking this season he has fallen to a reasonable level in the weights and is respected. Ardent Scout, a winner over the National fences late last year comes here with an excellent chance despite the hike in his handicap mark. Having shown a liking for a good surface in the past he could go well for his promising conditional jockey Dominic Elsworth.