chased leader until 2nd, soon lost place, behind 4th, never on terms after, tailed off and pulled up after 17th
held up in last pair, headway chasing leaders 16th, went 2nd 4 out until ridden between last 2, weakened last
chased leaders on inside, blundered 13th, weakened before 4 out
chased leader 2nd until 5th, dropped to mid-division, headway chasing leaders 12th, outpaced 15th, rallied from 2 out, went modest 3rd at the last
behind, driven and kept on from 2 out, went modest 4th and mistake last
raced wide in mid-division, good headway chasing leaders 12th, led 17th, clear before next, still 6 lengths ahead when dived at last, idled run-in, headed towards finish
chased leaders, jumped slowly and behind 12th, jumped right after, tailed off and pulled up before 15th
mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, went 2nd between last 2, 6 lengths down last, closed run-in, stayed on to lead towards finish
led until 17th, pushed along in 3rd before next, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, chased new leader before 4 out, mistake and lost 2nd 4 out, went left next, weakened and blundered 2 out
mid-division, reminders after 6th, headway chasing leaders 10th, weakened 17th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
NonRunner
These veteran chases are rarely short of quality entries and this one is no exception. Abolitionist placed in a Troytown and an Irish National when trained by Ellemarie Holden and there was no shortage of confidence behind him when making a winning start over hurdles for Richard Newland back in November. Houblon Des Obeaux beat Theatre Guide 15 lengths in the final of last year’s series and Carole's Destrier has faced some stiff tasks since winning the Mandarin over track and trip in December. Joe Farrell won last season’s Scottish National but hasn’t raced since and Marcilhac and Ziga Boy have even longer absences to overcome. THE LAST SAMURI is running in one of these for the first time and has the class to defy top weight, though Perform should also run well from the opposite end of the handicap.
The Last Samuri (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led before 7th, headed approaching last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Royal Vacation (10-12) at Taunton 3m 4f (2) gs in Jan.
Abolitionist (IRE) 11-8fav (10-0) Led after 1st, clear last, stayed on well, eased close home, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Nov beating The Organist (11-3) by 10l, 8 ran.
Joe Farrell (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 6th, mistake 15th and when close up 23rd, led 3 out, hard pressed towards finish, held on, won at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr beating Ballyoptic (11-6) by ns, 29 ran.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, chasing leaders when pushed along going out on final circuit, weakening when blundered 17th, tailed off 4 out, 10th of 16, 35 1/2l behind Classic Ben (10-10) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Milansbar (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Prominent, led 3rd, headed before 16th, lost place next, soon behind, 8th of 12, dist behind Impulsive Star (10-1) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Jan.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders approaching 12th, left in 2nd place at the last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 15l behind Houblon Des Obeaux (11-3) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Marcilhac (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Prominent, mistake 14th, led before 4 out, went right and untidy 2 out, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, nk behind Relentless Dreamer (11-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Carole's Destrier 20-1 (10-8) In rear when badly hampered 14th, soon pulled up, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Ziga Boy (FR) 10-1 (10-11) Made all, mistake 7 out, clear from 6 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Jan beating Looking Well (10-6) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Shanroe Santos (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Last pair, plugged on, never on terms, 7th of 16, 17 1/4l behind Classic Ben (10-10) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Perform (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Held up in touch in 5th, closer at 9th, 3rd before 14th, ridden and no impression before 3 out, left remote 2nd 2 out, lost that placing close home, 3rd of 9, 18 1/2l behind Like The Sound (10-9) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Exitas (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 8th of 16, 29 3/4l behind Worthy Farm (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
