led to 5th, weakened from 13th, tailed off and pulled up before
held up in rear, went 3rd from 12th, pushed along and weakened after 5 out, left poor 3rd from 4 out, pulled up soon after
tracked leader, took keen hold, led 5th, headed 7th, led again 10th, headed 12th, led again 6 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on
tracked leaders on outer, went 2nd approaching 6th, led 7th, headed 10th, led again 12th, headed 6 out, ridden 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 10th, staying on and ridden when mistake in 3rd and unseated rider
Aikman has started favourite for both starts over fences but came up short, though he'll be winning one of these before long. LACKAMON made a winning chase debut at Hexham and his close-up fifth at Carlisle last time looks stronger form than that Tiptoeaway and Rolecarr registered when they won for the first time over fences earlier this month at Newcastle and Hexham respectively. Sue Smith's charge gets the vote as he beat Double Expresso over hurdles earlier this year and the latter makes his debut for Paul Nicholls today after unseating on his only previous start over fences last year.
Aikman (IRE) 6-4fav (11-3) Keen early, tracked leaders, joined winner 11th until ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Sarando (11-7) at Carlisle 3m grad ch (2) gs.
Double Expresso 7-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Palypso De Creek (11-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Lackamon 9-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake 10th, blundered 13th, chased winner before 4 out, hit next, one pace and held when mistake last, 5th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Power Pack Jack (10-0) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Tiptoeaway (IRE) 5-6fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 8th, shaken up to go clear from last, readily, won at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd beating Trucking Along (11-2) by 8l, 4 ran.
Rolecarr (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, led approaching 3 out, ridden before last, headed soon after, rallied to regain lead towards finish, very game, won at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (4) sft beating Lively Baron (11-0) by hd, 8 ran.