tracked leader, under pressure approaching 4 out, pulled uo quickly before next
behind, headway after 5 out, never on terms
chased leaders, lost touch before 10th, soon tailed off, behind when pulled up 4 out
held up in rear, headway 4 out, led approaching last, rider lost irons closing stages, held on
chased leaders, mistake 7th, weakened 3 out
led, driven when not fluent 4 out, mistake 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on strongly closing stages
By their very nature, most of these veterans’ chases feature jumpers who are past their prime but DICA could not be in better form and Paul Collins’ gelding could complete the hat-trick despite an inevitable rise in the weights. Jet Master is versatile as to trip but rated 9lb higher over fences than hurdles, though was third off this mark at Perth in April. No Planning is eased in grade and should be approaching peak fitness but Muwalla looks held on the form book and does best at Sedgefield. The others have a bit to prove at present.
No Planning 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, reminders after 11th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 8th of 16, 34l behind The Romford Pele (11-9) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Jet Master (IRE) 12-1 (12-2) In rear, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, no impression, 6th of 13, 13 1/4l behind Meadowcroft Boy (11-4) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Alderbrook Lad (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Chased leaders to after 11th, behind when mistake 13th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Rear Admiral (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up, hampered 8th, closer 13th, weakened and mistake 3 out, 4th of 6, 27l behind Beeves (12-3) at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Baileys Concerto (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders on inside, hit 13th, outpaced 4 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 16, 34 1/4l behind The Romford Pele (11-9) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Dica (FR) 7-1 (11-12) With leader, led 5th, headed narrowly last, son left clear, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Between The Waters (10-12) by 4l, 14 ran.
Muwalla 13-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, upsides next, every chance last, ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind John Williams (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
