mid-division, ridden over 4 out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, fell second
held up in rear, ridden before 4 out, went second before 3 out, stayed on without threatening winner, lost second close home
chased leader, outpaced and dropped to rear before 5 out, ridden before 4 out, headway before 2 out, stayed on well to take second close home, never threatened winner
chased leader, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
led, jumped right, went well clear, ridden before 3 out, lead reduced but kept on well enough
held up in rear, ridden before 4 out, no impression
AIN'T MY FAULT went up 6lb for a convincing victory at Hexham and had little chance when elevated into Class 2 company at Carlisle. Little Rory Mac, a dual winner over timber, has been a beaten favourite the last twice and makes his debut over fences as does Le Grand Fromage, whose stable is in good form and travels a long way for this. Victory Echo finished runner-up on good ground at Hexham and started favourite at Carlisle but ran poorly while Palixandre, who scored over timber for Nicky Henderson, has been beaten a long way in both subsequent starts. Winning bumper and hurdler Calix Delafayette was struggling when unseating at Kelso in February while Zalvados hasn't run since April last year though the latter has some fair form to his credit and is on a lenient mark.
Ain't My Fault (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Prominent, relegated to midfield 5th, ridden and towards rear before 4 out, faded 3 out, last of 6, 30 1/4l behind Whoshotthesheriff (10-12) at Carlisle 2m (2) hvy in Nov.
Little Rory Mac (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Keen tracked leading pair, chased winner and every chance when mistake 2 out, ridden and stayed on one pace, 2nd of 0, 4l behind Top Gamble (11-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Zalvados (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Held up behind, outpaced 4 out, never a threat, tailed off, 8th of 11, 28l behind Larry (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Le Grand Fromage 4-1 (11-5) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway before 3 out, 4th and beaten when not fluent 2 out, no extra and mistake last, 4th of 11, 17 1/4l behind Riggs (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Calix Delafayette (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Held up behind, pushed along in rear when not fluent and unseated rider 4 out, at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Victory Echo (IRE) 9-2fav (11-7) Prominent, led approaching second circuit, soon ridden and headed 4 out, pulled up before last, at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Palixandre (FR) 28-1 (11-4) Keen in rear, pushed before 4 out, kept on without threatening, 5th of 7, 34 1/2l behind Funambule Sivola (11-4) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
