led until after 4th, led again before 8th, went clear 3 out until next, headed between last two, stayed on same pace, finished tired
chased leaders, jumped slowly 5th, pushed along when blundered badly and rider lost iron 12th, pulled up before next
raced very wide, chased leader, led after 4th until before 8th, chased leader until next, went 2nd again 11th, jumped slowly 13th, lost 2nd 5 out, soon ridden and weakened, poor 5th when pulled up before 4 out
never that fluent towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd 9th until 11th, chased leaders, weakened after 5 out, poor 4th when pulled up before next
waited with towards rear, headway chasing leaders 11th, went 2nd 5 out, pushed along before next, lost 2nd soon after 4 out, mistake 2 out, finished tired and virtually walked over the line
chased leaders until lost place slightly 5th, rallied before 12th, went 2nd soon after 4 out, led between last two, stayed on strongly (first two fences in back straight omitted both circuits, 18 fences in total jumped)
always rear-division, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
chased leader until 3rd, soon lost place and towards rear, pushed along in 7th before 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
raced very wide, always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
This is going to take some getting in the conditions but the going has been heavy for both of Blaklion’s victories around here this season and the gallant veteran is enjoying a new lease of life. Bristol De Mai, a three-times winner of the Betfair here, still has a touch of class but probably isn’t the force of old. Lord Du Mesnil is only a pound higher than when winning this last year, when Tommy Whittle winner Enqarde was only fifth, but, along with Kalooki, was well behind SAM BROWN in the Peter Marsh here last month and Anthony Honeyball’s charge, lightly raced for his age, clearly likes it here. Secret Reprieve won the Welsh Grand National last season so stamina won’t be an issue but it may be too far for Mint Condition. The Galloping Bear has a lot more to do than when scoring at Lingfield and last season’s Midlands National winner Time To Get Up has only managed one run so far this term.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leader until before 5th, handy 3rd until after 7th, not fluent 12th, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, stayed on gamely run-in, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Two For Gold (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 6f (2) hvy in Jan.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden and outpaced 4 out, weakened thereafter, 6th of 10, 25l behind Royale Pagaille (11-10) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Sam Brown 8-1 (10-8) Led, ridden and pressed 4 out, headed 3 out, every chance last when slow jump, stayed on well from last, never getting to winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Royale Pagaille (11-10) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Kalooki (GER) 16-1 (10-6) Mid division, struggling and dropped to rear home turn, tailed off, 5th of 10, 24 1/4l behind Royale Pagaille (11-10) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Blaklion 11-4fav (11-3) Prominent, led 4th, headed 9th, led before 10th, well clear from 4 out, stayed on, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Dec beating The Two Amigos (11-7) by 28l, 7 ran.
Time To Get Up (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Towards rear, modest headway 12th (canal turn), no impression, well beaten from 3 out, tailed off and hanging left after last, 11th of 13, dist behind Mac Tottie (11-1) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
The Galloping Bear 12-1 (11-12) Led until after 3rd, pressed leader, led again 5th, bad mistake next, headed 8th, left in lead 10th, driven and stayed on strongly run-in, won at Lingfield 3m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Defuture Is Bright (10-0) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Secret Reprieve (IRE) 6-1fav (10-0) Towards rear, effort and headway to chase leaders after 18th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened and plugged on, 5th of 20, dist behind Iwilldoit (10-0) at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Enqarde (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders on inside, hit 11thh and 13th, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, soon led, went clear before the last, stayed on strongly, won at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Remastered (11-13) by 10l, 16 ran.
Mint Condition 10-3 (11-2) Close up, not fluent 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 5, 24 1/2l behind Threeunderthrufive (11-7) at Warwick 3m (1) sft in Jan.
Sidi Ismael (FR) 4-1 (11-10) In touch in 5th, blundered and pecked 9th, blundered and fell 11th, at Catterick 3m 6f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
