mid-division, dropped to rear of mid-division and slight mistake 11th, mistake 4 out and ridden, no impression
led, not fluent at 3rd and joined, led from 13th, ridden and joined from 2 out, stayed on well inside final furlong, headed line
mid-division, took keen hold, headway into 4th and bad mistake at 9th, mistake 13th, improved into 2nd 3 out, disputed lead from 2 out and ridden, stayed on well inside final furlong, led and disputed line
tracked leaders on outer, bad mistake 10th, mistake 11th, ridden in 6th 3 out, weakened, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 3 out, 4th and no impression on leaders next, kept on one pace
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, disputed lead from 5th, slight mistake 10th, headed 11th, weakened, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, progress into 8th 3 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, 5th and mistake at last, no impression
towards rear, ridden in 9th 3 out, weakened, pulled up before last
prominent, disputed lead from 3rd, disputed lead from 11th, slight mistake and headed 13th, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last
in rear, mistake 10th, headway on outer 4 out, ridden in 5th after next, no impression
rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
rear of mid-division, bad mistake 1st, headway into 4th on inner 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders in 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders on inner, slight mistake 4th, ridden and weakened from 4 out
Paul Nicholls will be on a high after Clan Des Obeaux landed the big race on Wednesday and bids for this somewhat smaller prize with Bob And Co. He's won four of his last five hunter-chases and unseated in the other though he's never raced in any of the major races for hunters at the Festivals. Fellow raider Caid Du Berlais started out with Nicholls before being taken over by the late Rose Loxton, who won seven races with him. Transferred to her husband Sam, he's returned from a break to slam the opposition at Wincanton and Warwick and is an obvious threat. It Came To Pass has been unable to replicate last year's Cheltenham heroics while BILLAWAY has been beaten at the recent two Festivals though will have found 2m5f too short at Aintree and looks best of the home challenge so gets the nod. He twice had subsequent dual winner Solomn Grundy behind earlier in the campaign and also holds Staker Wallace.
Auvergnat (FR) 7-1 (12-2) Mid-division early, 6th after 6th, closed up 4 out, one pace from after 2 out, not fluent last, 4th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Warriors Tale (12-2) at Cork 2m 4f gd in Apr.
Billaway (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Chased leaders, lost place before 5th, blundered 11th (foinavon), not fluent 12th (canal turn), struggling after, stayed on from last, closed on 4th and 3rd elbow, no impression on front pair, 5th of 21, 6 1/4l behind Cousin Pascal (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) gs in Apr.
Bob And Co (FR) 1-5fav (12-8) Prominent, pressed leader 4th, led narrowly 7th, awkward 10th, drew clear 13th, 20 lengths clear 4 out, even further clear 2 out, canter, won at Hexham 3m (6) gd in Apr beating Killer Crow (12-0) by dist, 6 ran.
Caid Du Berlais (FR) 1-8fav (12-6) Made all, clear 11th, not fluent 12th, drew readily clear before 2 out, easily, won at Warwick 2m 4f (6) gd in Mar beating Bishops Road (12-2) by dist, 4 ran.
Dylrow (IRE) 25-1 (12-2) Rear of mid-division and well off pace, moderate 5th 4 out, no extra from 2 out, never a factor, 6th of 11, 36 1/4l behind Solomn Grundy (12-2) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f Yielding in Apr.
From Eden (USA) 50-1 (12-2) Mid-division early, 5th after 6th, headway and effort straight, no impression and not fluent 2 out, kept on without threatening run-in, 5th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Warriors Tale (12-2) at Cork 2m 4f gd in Apr.
Gusty Rocky (IRE) (11-11) Tr ldrs, 2nd 1/2way, mstk 5out, sn wknd, pu 2out, at Stradbally 3m sft in Dec.
It Came To Pass (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Behind, blundered badly 9th, headway chasing leaders before 13th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 18, dist behind Porlock Bay (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gs in Mar.
Jury Duty (IRE) 5-2 (12-2) Towards rear and well off pace, some headway in 6th after 4 out, moderate 4th and pushed along after 3 out, 3rd and no impression approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 11, 17 1/4l behind Solomn Grundy (12-2) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f Yielding in Apr.
On The Sod (IRE) 8-1 (12-2) Prominent, led briefly 4th, disputed lead with one rival and well clear of remainder after 8th, pushed along and still disputing lead when fell 3 out, at Fairyhouse 3m 1f Yielding in Apr.
Poli Roi (FR) (12-2) Chsd ldrs, 6th 1/2way, sl mstk in 5th 3out, prog into 3rd 2out, no ex last, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Mr Mantilla (12-2) at Stradbally 3m sft in Dec.
Solomn Grundy (IRE) 9-4fav (12-2) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, some headway and left 2nd 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well run-in to lead final 50 yards, bumped by rival close home, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f Yielding in Apr beating Stand Up And Fight (12-2) by nk, 11 ran.
Staker Wallace (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Held up and off the pace towards rear, good headway chasing leaders 14th, outpaced before 2 out, went modest 3rd on line, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 18, 13 1/4l behind Porlock Bay (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gs in Mar.
Timewaitsfornoone (IRE) Evens (11-11) Ld, 3l adv frm 6th, jnd frm 6out, hdd aftr 3out, no ch with easy wnr frm 2out, kow, 2nd of 3, 4l behind It Came To Pass (12-2) at Dromahane 3m gd in Apr.