behind, mistakes 7th and 17th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, headed 16th, mistake 19th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
jumped poorly in rear, mistakes 3rd and 5th, blundered 11th and pulled up soon after
outpaced in rear, mistake 6th, behind from 12th, tailed off
prominent, led 16, headed 18th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 11th, ridden after 3 out, kept on
mid-division, headway 11th, ridden after 19th, beaten when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, headway 9th, outpaced 12th, kept on same pace
chased leaders till weakened after 4 out, broke blood vessel
held up in touch, headway 11th, led 18th, stayed on well
The feature race on the card has a wide-open feel to it, with half of the field capable of scoring. Spinofski has been knocking at the door this season, but lacks a gear as shown behind Haut Cercy at Wincanton. french raider Innox has topweight to overcome, and was well behind Behrajan on his last visit to these shores, at Ascot in December. Kings Mistral has been in fine form of late, and loves it round here, having won three times in all. This is a bit tougher than his other assignments but he is expected to go well, and Timmy Murphy takes over in the plate from Vinnie Keane. Lord Of The River has a long absence to overcome but is a classy stayer. Beaten a distance by Looks Like Trouble in the 1999 Sun Alliance Chase when trained by Oliver Sherwood, he was not then seen out until contesting the Racing Post Chase last February, by which time he was in the care of Nicky Henderson. After finishing fifth, he went on to run at Aintree and Punchestown, and although likely to need this, should be kept in mind for the spring. On this occasion Murt's Man is expected to come good. Blessed with stamina, he found the likes of Mini Sensation and Chives too strong in the Welsh National, but Paul Nicholls is convinced that there is a good race to be won with him. A casualty in the Martell Grand National behind Bindaree, he has had a light campaign with Aintree in mind again, and can stamp his credentials with a win here.