chased leaders, weakened from 6 out
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before last kept on same pace
led, pressed and not fluent 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, kept on
tracked leader, mistake 5th, lost place 10th, in rear from 12th, one pace from 4 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders and fell 1st
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 6 out, ridden before 2 out, led before last, kept on well, driven out
held up towards rear, headway before 11th, pushed along before 4 out in 4th, ridden before last, kept on run-in
held up towards rear and in touch, chased leaders when fell 10th
in rear, hampered 1st, pulled up before 12th
Bishops Road won a Sandown handicap on heavy ground then the Grand National Trial at Haydock in similar conditions before departing at the first on his two subsequent starts. Bristol De Mai won a 'soft' Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' at Sandown in February before runner-up to Black Hercules in the JLT at Cheltenham. He's been beaten at odds-on in two subsequent runs including a two-horse race at Carlisle last month. DEFINITLY RED, a Grade 2 winning hurdler, won a Listed handicap over fences at Ayr in April and reappeared to score over hurdles at Carlisle in very good style so he can probably make further progress and he's handed the vote. Wakanda beat Virak half-a-length in this last year when receiving 1lb then doubled that winning margin over him in a Listed contest at Ascot. Sue Smith's charge couldn't handle the step-up to Grade 1 and 2 company later but will be ready for this. The runner-up enjoys a test of stamina on soft ground so has conditions in his favour and he'll have come on a bundle for his run at Wetherby.
Virak (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Not fluent 1st, prominent, hit and lost place 13th, driven to chase leaders before 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 12 1/4l behind Irish Cavalier (11-6) at Wetherby 3m (1) gd in Oct.
Bishops Road (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Fell 1st, at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 2-5fav (11-12) Tracked sole rival (winner), hit 4th, effort to challenge 3 out, soon driven and one pace, ridden after next, 3 lengths down last, beaten when eased flat, last of 2, 12l behind Seeyouatmidnight (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Oct.
Wakanda (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Led to 1st, prominent, lost place 9th, behind from next, struggling 12th, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Irish Cavalier (11-6) at Wetherby 3m (1) gd in Oct.
Katkeau (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 13th, mistake next, weakened 15th, pulled up before 16th, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jun.
Otago Trail (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) In rear, went 3rd from 5 out until 4 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 29l behind Le Mercurey (11-7) at Ayr 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Definitly Red (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Pressed leader, led briefly 2nd, led again after 4 out, came towards stands side rail after next, ridden after 2 out, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct beating Onefitzall (10-8) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
No Planning 4-1 (11-11) Towards rear and mistakes, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 8, dist behind One For Arthur (11-4) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Clondaw Knight (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Always behind, hit 11th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 24, dist behind The Package (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
