jumped well, with leader, led 3rd, made rest, driven clear after 3 out, very easy (1 fence omitted)
chased leaders, took closer order approaching 5 out, hampered and left in 2nd 4 out, not fluent next, weakening when tired mistake 2 out, soon pulled up
led until 3rd, remained prominent, rallying when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
chased leaders, not fluent 7th or 8th, driven when mistake 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when left in remote 3rd 4 out, left in remote 2nd before last, no chance with winner
NonRunner
PAIN AU CHOCOLAT (NAP) came good around this time last year. He’s back on a winning mark and has finished second a couple of times this season so might be the one to beat ahead of Pistol Park, who came up against a well-handicapped rival at Carlisle last time and has won over 2m around here. Special Catch was second in the race last year but doesn’t arrive in the best of form. Plus Jamais has won three times around here and can be forgiven his run in the Midlands National but he’s looking a few pounds too high at present.
Pain Au Chocolat (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leader until 2nd chased leading pair until before 8th, lost place soon after, modest 5th 2 out, 5th of 7, 22 1/4l behind Tiquer (10-0) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Special Catch (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Towards rear and keen, ridden and weakened before 4 out, pulled up, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Plus Jamais (FR) 33-1 (10-9) In rear, behind when mistake 12th, well behind 14th, soon pulled up, at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp lst (1) hvy in Mar.
Un Guet Apens (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Behind, pushed along and weakened before 9th, tailed off 5 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Calipto (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Pistol Park (FR) 11-2 (11-11) Towards rear, headway before 6 out, ridden before 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Calipto (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
