jumped well, led until approaching 4 out, led again next, kept on well under pressure
held up in touch, chased leaders halfway, effort 2 out, stayed on into 2nd after last, never reached winner
held up towards rear, headway 8th, chased leaders 2 out, never a threat
held up in rear, mistake 8th, weakened 6 out
chased leaders, led approaching 4 out, headed when blundered next, rallied 2 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 4th, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened
with leader until lost place after 5 out, mistake next, rallied 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, slow 4th and 5th, pushed along 7th, mistake 9th, weakening when mistake 5 out, soon beaten
NonRunner
Gold Opera looked sure to win when slipping his field off the home turn at Newcastle eight days ago but he had no answer to the late surge of Rock On Fruity and has been raised 2lb. Lord Bryan needed his run at Aintree while Ecu De La Noverie has been in good form over hurdles for his enthusiastic owner/rider and won over fences in France. Yorgonnahearmeroar still has scope over the larger obstacles while Didero Vallis showed a willing attitude at Carlisle and will likely improve again. HILLS OF DUBAI just came up short over a bit further here on his reappearance. He won twice at Ayr last season and still looks to be on a fair mark.
Didero Vallis (FR) 12-1 (11-3) With leader, led 5th, headed 4 out, led again narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, held on gamely flat, all out, won at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Luckofthedraw (11-8) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Gold Opera (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-12) Always prominent, jumped well, led before 7th, headed approaching next, led again 6 out, challenged 2 out, headed last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Rock On Fruity (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Kayf Blanco 10-1 (11-2) Held up and behind, headway approaching 5 out, left 3rd 4 out, soon no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 11, 27 1/2l behind Steely Addition (11-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Western Jo (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Made all, ridden after last, held on near finish, won at Hexham 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Ronn The Conn (10-12) by nk, 8 ran.
Ecu De La Noverie (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, good headway tracking leaders 5th, went 2nd before 2 out, led 2 out until between last 2, kept on same pace no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Rough Night (10-9) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Arctic Gold (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Raced wide throughout, with leader, led briefly 8th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 8, 37 3/4l behind Drovers Lane (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Hills Of Dubai (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, one pace next, soon ridden, every chance last, kept on, just held, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Absolutely Dylan (11-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Yorgonnahearmeroar (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 14, 22 1/2l behind Erick Le Rouge (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Lord Bryan (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) In rear, headway 4th, led 7th, lost place 11th, well beaten before 4 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Ballyhill (11-11) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
