chased leaders on outside, lost 4th after 4 out, urged along and weakened before 3 out
patiently ridden, waited with in mid-division, headway 12th, 4th after 3 out, 2nd 2 out, upsides last, led soon after, came readily clear run-in
always in rear, tailed off 12th, never a factor
chased leader, mistake 6th, lost 2nd 3 out, chased leading trio until the last, weakened run-in
chasing leaders when mistake and lost place 2nd, towards rear and struggling after, mistake 15th, tailed off in 7th when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
chased leading pair, blundered 4th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, rallied into 2nd 3 out until next, 2nd again run-in, no chance with winner
led, jumped right 17th, clear from 3 out until before the last, joined last, soon headed, weakened into 3rd run-in
always behind, never tailed off when stumbled badly 17th, never a factor
headway chasing leaders 5th, lost 4th before 11th, lost place 17th, plugged on into modest 4th last
Guy Disney steered RATHLIN ROSE (NAP) to an historic victory in this 12 months ago and the partnership again beat Renard and Will Kellard in the Grand Military Gold Cup over the course and distance a month later. The 10-year-old been pulled up three times since but his sixth in the Welsh Grand National last month is the best form on offer in this and a repeat may be on the cards. Leo Luna is a notoriously hard ride so James Rawdon-Mogg’s stamina will be tested but his mount does find for pressure and he did win at Plumpton last month. Orbasa has never won over this trip but was fourth over course and distance in December and then filled the same position over 2m7f at Taunton – the same trainer/jockey combination won this in 2015. Midnight Monty will have needed his run at Market Rasen so makes more appeal than Cabragh among the others.
Orbasa (FR) 13-2 (11-2) Jumped left at times, prominent, ridden after 4 out, one pace 2 out, kept on towards finish, 4th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Wicked Willy (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Rathlin Rose (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 11th, 4th before 13th until approaching 4 out where jumped slowly, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Bobonyx 8-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, led 6th, headed 2 out, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 14, 6l behind How's My Friend (11-0) at Towcester 3m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Cabragh (IRE) 9-1 (12-1) Pressed leader, led 3rd, headed 5th, led before next, not fluent 11or 16th, headed after 4 out, no impression on winner next, lost 2nd after 2 out, mistake last, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Vinnie Lewis (11-11) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Leo Luna 9-4fav (12-2) Pushed along almost throughout, led until hit 5th and headed, pressed leader, hit 11th and 4 out, led again narrowly 3 out and pressed before next, joined last, driven and held on towards finish, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Act Now (11-12) by nk, 6 ran.
Midnight Monty 11-2 (12-0) Tracked leaders, slow 1st, ridden 4 out, held in 3rd 2 out, 9 lengths down last, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Until Winning (12-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Renard (FR) 4-1 (11-9) Led until 4th, stayed handy, pushed along before 14th, soon weakened, last of 5, dist behind Muckle Roe (11-11) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in May.
Sentimentaljourney (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) In tch to 12; t.o & pu 2 out, at Chaddesley Corbett 3m sft in Dec.
Spanish Arch (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) (tt) in tch to 11; t.o, 5th of 16, dist behind War Path (12-7) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m sft in Dec.
