held up mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, weakened before 3 out
led, headed after 2nd, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before and blundered 2 out, one pace when hampered last
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, left 4th last, one pace and no impression
pushed and always towards rear, lost place from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, headway on inner before 3 out, challenged before 2 out, every chance before last, no extra last 75 yards
tracked leader, led after 2nd, made rest, pressed from before 2 out, kept on gamely run-in, just held on
towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, never dangerous
in rear, pushed along 7th, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, went 2nd from 5th, joined winner 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, effort and no headway from 2 out
prominent, lost place from 7th
mid-division, headway on outer before 4 out, weakened from 2 out
chased leader, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, in 4th and looking held when fell last
held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden before last, kept on towards finish, just held
Nonrunner
Many of these have been chasing, with differing levels of success, but the un-seasonal soft ground should play to the strengths of the likes of Welsh National winner Le Beau Bai, 5lb lower than over fences, and Victors Serenade. Cross Kennon is a class act on his day but didn't really sparkle over the winter and Cheltenham winner Pateese, representing Philip Hobbs who has a fine record in this contest, could be a better bet if staying the trip. David Pipe runs three and The Tracey Shuffle and Big Occasion both have a chance, while Nagpur has to go on the short-list after resuming winning ways at Plumpton. AMERICAN SPIN was beaten less than a length by the useful Cape Tribulation in a valuable handicap at Aintree and may still be on an upward curve. He's 7lb higher here but has stamina in abundance and will handle the going better than most. He can strike a blow against the big boys for Luke Dace's Sussex yard.
Cross Kennon (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Led to 8th, soon under pressure, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 11, 43l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Mid-division, pushed along before 8th, reminders 17th, soon weakened, pulled up before 21st, in a race won by Merigo (10-2) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 24 ran.
Cantlow (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, smooth headway on outside after 3 out, led between last 2, soon hard pressed, headed after last, kept on under pressure, held when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 24, 2l behind Cape Tribulation (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
American Trilogy (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Mid-division, hit 5th, mistake 8th, outpaced next, ridden and rallied approaching bypassed 2 out, went 3rd last, stayed on and every chance flat, held near finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Cucumber Run (10-13) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-155 (2) gd in Apr.
Crescent Island (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Led into start, reluctant early in rear, bad mistake 5th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Aerial (11-3) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Pateese (FR) 4-1fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr beating Red Not Blue (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
American Spin 50-1 (10-6) Led to after 1st, pressed leader, led again 9th, ridden after 3 out, hard pressed last, headed flat, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 21, 3/4l behind Cape Tribulation (11-12) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Ringaroses 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear of mid-division on outside, lost place 7th, headway under pressure after 4 out, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, chased leading pair before last, no impression when lost 3rd flat, 4th of 21, 9l behind Cape Tribulation (11-12) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Qulinton (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Prominent until 9th, 9th of 13, 44l behind Auroras Encore (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
The Tracey Shuffle 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden after 2 out and no impression from before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Tofino Bay (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl hvy in Apr.
Nagpur (FR) 8-11fav (11-12) Led, headed 9th, outpaced after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led run-in, kept on well towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Apr beating Kuilsriver (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 3 ran.
Le Beau Bai (FR) 6-1fav (10-12) Chased leader, not fluent and lost 2nd at 11th, chased leaders until ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 19, well behind Tidal Bay (11-12) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Apr.
The Druids Nephew (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, hit 8th, headway approaching 2 out, no further progess well before last and soon well held by leaders, 6th of 20, 18l behind Brindisi Breeze (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Arctic Court (IRE) 4-1fav (10-13) Led, headed narrowly 7th, lost place before 2 out (usual 3 out), soon weakened, 7th of 10, well behind Cucumber Run (10-13) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-155 (2) gd in Apr.
Big Occasion (IRE) (10-3) 6th of 11, 16l behind Sagakit (10-10) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f 5yo hdl in Apr.
Bottman (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, lost place when mistake 4 out, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by Alfie Sherrin (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar, 19 ran.
Find A Key (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Led, took keen hold, ridden and headed last, kept on, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Hi George (10-10) at Kelso 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Howizee 12-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out to chase leaders, challenged 2 out, led last, kept on strongly, driven out, won at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr beating Mcmurrough (11-4) by 10l, 12 ran.
Victors Serenade (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, good headway 6th, joined leaders 8th, led 11th, jumped left from 5 out, clear before 4 out, very easily, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar beating Politeo (11-5) by 11l, 9 ran.
