in touch, led 4 out, ridden and challenged last, kept on well
held up towards rear, headway 13th, weakened next, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, led 6th, headed 4 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 11th, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened
close up, hit 11th, weakened 5 out
chased leaders, ridden after 8th, weakening when mistake 14th, pulled up before 5 out
chased leaders, mistake 10th, weakened approaching 4 out
held up, hit 1st in 6th and ridden when brought down 5 out
held up, badly hampered 5 out, no impression from next
held up in rear, hit 2nd, some headway when hampered 5 out, never dangerous
mid-division, behind when mistake 5th, weakened approaching 8th, pulled up after 12th
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, soon ridden, went 2nd after 2 out, every chance last, not quicken run-in
in rear, reminder 8th, struggling from 13th, kept on from 4 out, no impression
led, headed 6th, reminders after 12th, soon weakened
in touch in 4th when fell 5 out
in touch, lost place after 8th
Nonrunner
D'Argent beat a few of today's rivals last time out and needs respect again, especially if the blinkers work again, however Irish Raptor is a potential National horse ands he gets the vote to score here; Philson Run, Geeveem and Bewleys Berry make it to the shortlist. The selection comes here on the back of a good fourth at Sandown behind Gungadu. The ground was arguably too soft for him that day so any drying of the ground today will help and this strapping individual can hold a prominent position throughout and go well. In a tough race there are of course man dangers. As it's a big race on a Saturday it would be folly to rule out Geeveem who is steadily improving and will have learnt from his run behind Miko De Beauchene in the Welsh National. The latter must be respected despite a 9lb rise in the weights as the first two were some way clear but he is unlikely to get ground as soft today. Philson Run, Naunton Brook and Blue Splash were all well held behind D'Argent last time out who seemed to jump better, but Philson Run could turn around the form as the outing would have brought him on one can assume. Flintoff's career, a tad like his namesake and part-owner, has slowed down somewhat of late having previously looked progressive, and his best form has been on a softer surface (pedalo not included). Huka Lodge is a course and distance winner and despite being out of the weights could go well off a feather-weight whilst Idle Talk is possibly well-handicapped but he is lacking in the jumping department somewhat. Point Barrow continues his build up to another crack at the Grand National, whilst that is also the target for Bewleys Berry so whilst a big run could be in the offing they are unlikely to really go hammer and tongs for this race. As expected it looks wide open, and we will nominate Irish Raptor as the likeliest winner.
Miko de Beauchene (FR) 13-2 (10-5) In touch, reminders and headway before 18th, soon every chance, hard ridden last, stayed on strongly to lead close home, won at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec beating Halcon Genelardais (11-12) by a hd, 18 ran.
Bewleys Berry (IRE) 11-2jt-fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 13th, ridden to challenge flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 19, 1l behind Mr Pointment (11-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
D'Argent (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 13th, not fluent 15th, led 15th, driven clear from last, won at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan beating Philson Run (11-4) by 7l, 13 ran.
Point Barrow (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd approaching 4 out, ridden and lost place into straight, kept on without threatening, 4th of 18, 12l behind Preists Leap (10-2) at Gowran Park 3m hcp chs hvy in Jan.
Idle Talk (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Led, headed 3 out, in 4th, weakening when blundered last, 5th of 20, 11l behind An Accordion (10-3) at Doncaster 3m lst hcp chs (1) gd in Jan.
Blue Splash (FR) 11-1 (11-7) Ran in snatches, hit 14th, chasing leaders next, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 13, 14l behind D'Argent (11-7) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Chased leader, led 17th, headed after 19th, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 10l behind Gungadu (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) sft.
Philson Run (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) In rear, steady headway from 13th, mistake and hampered 14th, went 2nd 4 out, every chance when hit 2 out, mistake last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 7l behind D'Argent (11-7) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Captain Corelli 11-4jt-fav (11-11) Held up, headway 4 out, chased winner after 3 out, one pace approaching last, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Money Line (10-12) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Geeveem (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Held up mid-division, mistake 13th, headway 18th, soon chasing leaders, ridden and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 18, 19l behind Miko de Beauchene (10-5) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Nitrat (FR) (10-10) In touch throughout, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 10, 6l behind Moka De L'isle (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 5f ch hvy in Nov.
Flintoff (USA) 14-1 (11-12) Soon driven along, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ballyfoy (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
L'Aventure (FR) 22-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, lost place 13th, soon beaten, 7th of 18, 32l behind Miko de Beauchene (10-5) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Harrycone Lewis 9-2 (11-5) Prominent, outpaced when blundered 13th, soon behind, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Trust Fund (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Sixo (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden after 11th, led 4 out until next, weakening when hampered 2 out, 6th of 10, 14l behind Herecomestanley (11-7) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, joined leader 10th, led 5 out, pushed along and headed approaching next, ridden approaching 2 out, led flat, just held on, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec beating The Gangerman (10-7) by a shd, 9 ran.
Naunton Brook 18-1 (11-9) Led 2nd for 16th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 13, 11l behind D'Argent (11-7) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan.
