led and disputed, headed 6th, 2nd halfway, pushed along after 3 out, dropped to 3rd after next, no impression when jumped badly left last, weakened close home
led and disputed, went on after 6th, pushed along and extended advantage after 2 out, kept on well from last
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 3 out, soon ridden and dropped to 4th 2 out, kept on one pace from last
towards rear, 4th halfway, kept on one pace from 4 out
towards rear, mistake 1st, pushed along to go 4th 3 out, headway into 3rd next, went 2nd before last, soon ridden and kept on
NonRunner
Gordon Elliott has half of the six entries. Hurricane Georgie won last year's Midlands National at Kilbeggan and has mainly competed at a higher level subsequently. Delta Work, a regular Grade 1 winner in his younger days, is no doubt warming up for the banks races here and at Cheltenham as well as the Grand National but has gone well fresh in the past. Having won the Irish Gold Cup last year and the Grade 1 Savills Chase in December then been placed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, CONFLATED will have bigger targets this campaign but his quality can see him through. Minella Indo, who was six lengths behind him in the former event, won a Tramore Grade 3 on New Year's Day before pulling up in the Gold Cup which he had won in 2021 so has to be a major threat receiving 6lb. Fighter Allen will be fitter than most having won at Sligo a fortnight ago but though Panda Boy can win good races this campaign this is a tough start.
Conflated (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Chased leader, led 7th, headed before next, lost 2nd 11th, switched right before 15th, went 2nd again before 4 out until mistake 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before last, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Minella Indo (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, pushed along 6th, struggling 11th, behind next, pulled up before 13th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
Delta Work (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Towards rear, unseated rider 19th, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Panda Boy (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, 9th halfway, 6th after 6 out and 5th 4 out, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 5th of 27, 7 3/4l behind I Am Maximus (11-1) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp sft in Apr.
Hurricane Georgie (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, moderate 4th after 8th, no threat from 4 out, kept on one pace in straight, 4th of 6, dist behind Easy Game (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) hvy in Sep.
Fighter Allen (FR) 5-2jfav (11-10) Made most, 2 lengths advantage halfway, briefly headed after 6 out, reminder and regained lead 5 out, pushed along on inner after 2 out, ridden after last and kept on well, won at Sligo 2m 5f sft in Sep beating The Little Yank (11-10) by 6l, 5 ran.
