held up mid-division, outpaced 14th, hit 3 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, reminders approaching 13th, soon outpaced, mistake 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 3 out
led, headed 4th, tracked leader, not fluent 6th, led 10th, headed next, pushed along and 1 length down in 2nd when unseated rider on bend before 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led after last, stayed on well
held up towards rear, soon mid-division, pushed along and hit 4 out, left 2nd approaching 3 out, kept on from last
tracked leader, led 4th, headed 10th, led again next, left about 5 lengths clear approaching 3 out, headed after last, kept on and just held on for 2nd
Nonrunner
Stuart Crawford's Bear Witness was narrowly beaten behind Tim Walford's Sheriff Hutton over course and distance last month and has every chance of reversing the form on 4lb better terms for two-and-a-quarter lengths but a better bet looks to be FLYING DOCTOR, who gets the vote. The selection was capable over hurdles but looks better over fences judged by his debut effort over the larger obstacles when winning with plenty in hand in a novices' chase at Hexham 10 days ago and he can defy the 7lb penalty for that success. Harry Flashman kept on well when winning at Hexham two starts ago but struggled off his new mark on a return visit to the venue last time and looks best watched, while the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Petite Margot is capable but inconsistent. Elliott Cooper's Flying Doctor is unexposed over fences and looks worth backing to follow up that recent Hexham win.
Sheriff Hutton (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) In touch, led 3 out, headed approaching last, soon beaten, 2nd of 16, 10l behind Markington (11-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Flying Doctor 9-2 (10-12) Always prominent, disputed lead 8th, led 3 out, drew clear approaching last, stayed on well, easily, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf beating Diavoleria (10-5) by 11l, 9 ran.
Bear Witness (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Led until 5th, remained handy, driven after 3 out, chased winner next, every chance last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Sheriff Hutton (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in May.
Petite Margot 15-2 (11-3) Hampered 1st, ran in snatches, rear, outpaced 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, not fluent last, no impression, 5th of 12, 18l behind Dusty Dane (10-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in May.
Bill's Echo 11-2 (11-12) Held up in last, blundered 5th, not fluent 15th or 17th, headway approaching 3 out, challenged going well next, hit last, found nil, 3rd of 7, 8l behind The Artful Fox (9-9) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Western Gale (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, hit 4 out, soon outpaced and pushed along, took 3rd flat, no impression, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Harry Flashman (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Harry Flashman 4-1fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 12th, headed 4 out, led again 2 out, ridden and hard pressed last, headed flat, kept on until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Simply Smashing (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf.
Catch The Perk (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 6th of 12, 28l behind Ollie Magern (11-8) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in May.
