in touch, outpaced 15th, never able to get into contention after
mid-division, headway 6th, mistake 13th, hanging right from 2 out, went 3rd after last, no impression
prominent, led 4th to 5th, remained handy until ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
in touch, challenged 15th, led after 3 out, headed approaching last, not pace of winner flat
mid-division, headway 15th, weakened approaching 4 out
held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway 10th, steadied after next, progress when hit 4 out, beaten when not fluent 2 out
held up, headway after 11th, challenged going well from 4 out, led approaching last, easily
prominent, led 5th, hit 13th and 4 out, soon headed, mistakes 3 out and 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, lost place after 2nd, mistake 15th, no chance after 15th, tailed off
never going, hit 7th, always towards rear
held up, always in rear, tailed off after 15th
led to 4th, remained prominent, reminders after 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
fell 1st
Top weight NATIONAL PETITION looks the one to beat here, but there are solid claims too for Ultimate Limit and Crank Hill. Venetia Williams' runner notched a rapid hat-trick in December, but shooting up in the ratings may have cost him chance of a four timer when coming fourth last time out. The stable's in cracking form, and despite the weight, he's competitive with Aiden Coleman claiming three pounds. Ultimate Limit won easily first time out for Alan Fleming when coming back from a two year absence. He'll certainly handle the ground, however soft it may be in places. Crank Hill was an eye-catcher last time out when coming from off the pace to grab third in testing conditions. He's yet to win though in 12 attempts after coming here following an Irish point to point success. As a pointer, favourites haven't won this contest in recent years, and we'll be siding with National Petition.
National Petition (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) In touch, tracked leading pair 12th, led 14th to 3 out, weakened after next, 4th of 14, 26l behind Maori Legend (11-5) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Wizards Dust 7-2jt-fav (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next, 6th of 12, 8l behind Coldwells (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Autumn Red (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Prominent, chased leader 15th, one pace after, 6th of 12, 18l behind I'm Supreme (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Cannon Fire (FR) 12-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 12, 27l behind Maktu (10-9) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Crank Hill 3-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 2nd, still well adrift 2 out, headway last, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Woodlands Genpower (10-11) at Towcester 3m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Lancer Scott 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 2 out, hung left and weakened flat, 6th of 14, 7l behind Lescer's Lad (10-9) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan.
Ultimate Limit 3-1fav (11-5) Settled in 3rd, close on leading pair 8th, jumped well to lead 3 out, sauntered home, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft beating Killfinnan Castle (10-10) by 8l, 8 ran.
Well Saved (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, mistake 2nd, brief effort after 7th, weakened 9th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Little Shilling (11-1) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Solid As A Rock 4-1fav (10-5) In rear, plugged on from 3 out, went 3rd after next, never any chance, 3rd of 14, 20l behind Maori Legend (11-5) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Walton Way 28-1 (11-5) Mistake 1st, always behind, 7th of 14, 31l behind Man of The Moment (11-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Victree (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 7th, went prominent 9th, chased leader 11th, led 13th, about 5 lengths when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Walton Way (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Jacarado (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, reminders 5th, last next, lost touch after 7th, soon tailed off and pulled up at the 13th in race won by Woodlands Genpower (10-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Themanfrommayo 14-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden halfway, soon struggling and pulled up 2 out in race won by Quay Meadow (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Curly Spencer (IRE) 80-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, bumped and virtually unseated jockey 1st, lost place 8th, weakened next and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Pretty Star (11-0) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
