mid-division, closed after 3rd, led after 4 out, ridden when pressed flat, headed close home
held up in rear, mistake 1st, jumped right 4th, headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd before last, driven to challenge flat, led close home
tracked leaders, blundered badly 10th, ridden 12th, lost place when hampered 5 out, weakened before next, pulled up approaching 3 out
led until after 5 out, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, jumped right 3rd, mistake 8th, headway 11th, challenged 4 out, jumped right 3 out and 2 out, no extra and lost 3rd flat
prominent, jumped right 2nd, every chance 4 out, not fluent and one pace 3 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, not fluent 5 out, closed before next, one pace 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, closed after 12th, tracking leaders when fell 5 out
prominent, led after 5 out, headed after next, weakened flat
held up in rear, not much room 4th, not fluent 11th, headway approaching 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair
held up, blundered badly 5th, well behind 5 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders on outside, close up when mistake, slithered badly on landing and lost all chance 5 out, soon pulled up
Withdrawn
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Alan King sent out last year's winner and saddles Chosen Well, who has already won between the flags. He is one of eight making their chasing debut under Rules in this and that list also includes WARRIORS TALE. The latter has top weight but looked every inch a chaser last season, despite winning over hurdles at Ayr and Kelso, and can make a successful reappearance. At the opposite end of the weights, Sidbury Hill could have a better chance than the odds are likely to predict with Kevin Jones taking of a further 5lb. Special Agent is another to consider along with Thedrinkymeister while African Gold was very well backed after a lengthy lay-off at Stratford and can only have improved for the run. Of those with experience over fences, recent winners Fourth Act and Globalisation can't be ignored and Double Shuffle has run well in a couple of starts at Cheltenham. Aigle De La See had placed form in France and Spookydooky can't have given his true running at Aintree earlier this month.
Warriors Tale 11-8fav (12-3) Tracked leaders, challenged and mistake 3 out, ridden and every chance run-in, held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind One For Arthur (12-3) at Ayr 3m (4) sft in Mar.
Spookydooky (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Held up, took keen hold, soon in touch, lost place 7th, not fluent 9th, pushed along 14th, weakened before 4 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Bally Beaufort (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
African Gold (IRE) 3-1fav (11-11) Prominent, mistake 1st, lost place before 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Grove Silver (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led, clear after 1st until 3rd, headed after 4th, led next, headed 7th, one pace 2 out, 4th of 10, 25l behind Central Flame (10-3) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Chosen Well (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 9th, chased leaders before 3 out, 4th and one pace from next, 4th of 11, 23 3/4l behind Capard King (10-13) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Special Agent 17-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 3rd, disputing 2nd when mistake 8th, weakened before 3 out, mistake last, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Capard King (10-13) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Harristown 16-1 (11-12) Held up, fell 2nd, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Fourth Act (IRE) 4-1fav (11-6) In touch, took closer order 5 out, led approaching last, ran on well, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Rocking Blues (11-4) by 13l, 9 ran.
Thedrinkymeister (IRE) 4-6fav (11-1) Made all, ridden 2 out, stayed on well under pressure (3 hurdles ommited), won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Mar beating Berea Venture (11-1) by 6l, 4 ran.
Nitrogen (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Led until 2nd, led 5th, headed next, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on flat, no impression, 4th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Buckhorn Timothy (11-5) at Exeter 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Globalisation (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Held up in 4th, mistake 5th, left 3rd 3 out, effort to challenge last, soon led, ran on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Dolores Delightful (11-8) by 3l, 5 ran.
Sidbury Hill 20-1 (10-12) Led until before 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, chased leaders, no extra in 5th run-in, 5th of 17, 11 3/4l behind As De Mee (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Aigle De La See (FR) 2-1fav (11-9) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 3rd, ridden 2 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 6th of 10, 22 3/4l behind Flintham (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Double Shuffle (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, headway to lead 10th (water), headed 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened into 4th flat, 4th of 7, 11l behind More Of That (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gs in Nov.
Son Of Suzie 4-1fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway before 12th, one pace in 4th from last, 4th of 10, 15 3/4l behind Vintage Star (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
