disputed lead, led 12th, ridden and weakening when headed approaching 2 out
towards rear, headway 14th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, ridden 15th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, mistake 11th, behind from 4 out
always in rear, ridden 7th, mistake 10th, behind from 13th and soon pulled up
disputed lead, ridden after 2 out, every chance from last, just denied
mid-division, ridden 12th, behind when pulled up 2 out
keen, towards rear, saddle slipped and pulled up after 7th
always in rear
in touch and jumped left throughout, mistake, weakened 14th
mid-division, mistake 7th, reminders and headway 12th, chased leading trio from 3 out, was never on terms
towards rear, fell heavily 8th
hampered and unseated rider 1st
towards rear, mistake 7th and 11th, weakened 4 out
towards rear, ridden and headway 14th, soon under pressure and no impression from 2 out
mid-division, ridden 15th to chase leaders, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, joined last, challenged and held on
Nonrunner
Top Dawn can make the most of the weight that he receives from Highland Chief and Alam and land the spoils. A line can be put through the selection's latest performance at Towcester as he was still travelling well when a bad mistake caused his rider to lose his reins and he was quickly pulled up thereafter. His jumping is usually satisfactory and we expect him to make amends. Baron Romeo finished second in that heat on just his second chase start; on that evidence he should be in the mix again as should Alam who races from the same mark as when a wide margin winner at Market Rasen over two and a half miles. Heart Springs has to cope with a rise in the weights and a bigger danger could be the consistent Highland Chief providing that the headgear has a positive effect. Go For One is worth a second look as he's good enough to win this on last season's form but he has lost the plot of late. In contrast, our selection is in-form and progressive and Top Dawn should be in the shake-up in this competitive contest.
Meggie's Beau (IRE) 15-2 (10-8) Mid-division, badly hampered 9th, not recover, 5th of 10, well behind Even More (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Heart Springs 12-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 7th, ridden after 2 out, led last, ran on, won at Stratford 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Mar beating Forest Miller (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Highland Chief (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) In touch, hit 15th, ridden 16th, stayed on same pace to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, 10l behind I'm Supreme (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Go For One (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) Behind, hit 4th, outpaced when blundered 11th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Lysander (10-11) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar, 7 ran.
Maori Legend 13-8fav (10-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, ridden and lost place 10th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Geography (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
Sovereign's Joy 8-1 (11-10) Close up, led 4 out, headed 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Dickie Lewis (10-13) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Apr.
Super Judge (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Behind, stayed on from 3 out, mistake 2 out and last, never troubled leaders, 4th of 10, 17l behind Storm of Applause (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Alam (USA) 4-1 (11-8) Made all, blundered 2 out, clear approaching last, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr beating Kimoe Warrior (9-11) by 22l, 13 ran.
Dere Lyn 20-1 (10-9) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the 18th in race won by Laertes (11-5) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr, 18 ran.
The Langer (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Held up, hampered 4th, struggling 16th, plugged on from 2 out to take modest 3rd near finish, 3rd of 6, 30l behind Beat The Boys (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gs in Apr.
He's The Biz (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden approaching 5 out, stayed on from 3 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 9, 12l behind Chabrimal Minster (10-13) at Chepstow 3m clm chs (3) gd in Apr.
Noble Buck (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) In touch, hit and lost place 6th, mistake 7th, behind when unseated rider at the 11th in race won by Perange (10-2) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Indian Gunner 15-2 (11-1) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 30l behind Ice Melted (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct '06.
Silvergino (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Led, not fluent 4th, headed 9th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 13, 31l behind Wednesday Country (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) gf in Apr.
Gumley Gale 9-1 (10-4) Held up, blundered badly and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Dere Lyn (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Mar, 7 ran.
Baron Romeo (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden 11th, effort 4 out, plugged on to chase clear winner last, 2nd of 14, 19l behind Arceye (11-10) at Towcester 3m hcp chs (5) gs in Apr.
Top Dawn (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, close up when blundered badly 12th, lost place quickly and pulled up 5 out in race won by Arceye (11-10) at Towcester 3m hcp chs (5) gs in Apr, 14 ran.
Hazeljack 9-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, lost place 10th, tailed off 13th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Walton Way (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr, 13 ran.
