always towards rear, held off when pulled up before 21st
struggling 16th, always in rear
with leader until 14th, gradually lost place from 16th
mid-division, headway after 13th, soon ridden, weakened 19th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed last, kept on
not fluent 5th, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
blundered and unseated rider 2nd
led 3rd, soon clear, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, battled on gamely
led until 3rd, chased leaders, mistake 14th, ridden after 15th, not fluent 18th, 10 lengths 4th last, stayed on strongly, led near finish
mid-division, ridden after 14th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, some headway 18th, weakened after 21st, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, blundered 14th, good headway after 4 out, driven to lead last, caught near finish
in touch until weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Nonrunner
This renewal is not a patch on the halcyon days of yore but even compared to recent renewals it doesn't look great. Preference is for KILBEGGAN BLADE ahead of Bowleaze and Always Waining. Tom George's gelding is reunited with Paddy Brennan this afternoon, and he knows the horse quite well. The pair teamed up to score over this course and distance in December 2007, and the horse then followed up a year later under the guidance of Tony McCoy. Any rain that falls overnight will be in his favour and lightly-raced for his age, he is fancied to run another big race. Church Island ran a blinder to be second in the Irish National and needs respect, along with previous winner Lacdoudal and recent winner Zacharova. New Little Bric probably has some stamina limitations for this race, whilst Oodachee was a fine second in the Topham. He holds Always Waining on that run (finished fourth) and both are considered big players today, with the ground looking likely to suit both. Briery Fox is nicely weighted, Laskari ran well in defeat last time but may now be high enough in the handicap, whilst Darkness is a talented individual who along with likely favourite Hoo La Baloo needs respect. The former was not disgraced in the Grand National and he goes well at the track, whilst the last-named is a three times course winner and if he sees out the trip (main worry) then he shouldn't be far away. Kilbeggan Blade is the horse that we nominate for glory.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, chasing leader when mistake 3 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind Mr Boo (10-0) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
New Little Bric (FR) 10-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway under pressure 5 out, no impression from next, 8th of 29, 41l behind Irish Raptor (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd.
Kilbeggan Blade 20-1 (10-7) In touch, losing position when blundered 15th (Chair), tailed off when pulled up before 21st, in a race won by Mon Mome (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs, 40 ran.
Always Waining (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 7th and in touch, disputing 2nd when blundered 2 out, one pace after, 4th of 29, 18l behind Irish Raptor (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd.
Lacdoudal (FR) 25-1 (10-8) In touch until lost place after 4 out, headway under pressure after 3 out, no further impression from last, 6th of 21, 21l behind Wichita Lineman (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Laskari (FR) 7-1 (10-8) Held up, mistake 7th, headway approaching 3 out, kept on to take 2nd flat, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Mr Boo (10-0) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Oscar Park (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mistake 2nd, held up in rear, headway 14th, mistake next, 5th and ridden after 3 out, weakened next, pulled up before last, in a race won by Briery Fox (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Church Island (IRE) 50-1 (9-13) Prominent, led 9th, headed before 6 out, ridden to lead entering straight, headed 2 out, kept on, no extra run-in, 2nd of 28, 2l behind Niche Market (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs gd.
Hennessy (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Mid-division, ridden after 19th, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, stumbled badly 2 out, soon beaten, 5th of 19, 18l behind Tricky Trickster (11-11) at Cheltenham 4m amat chs (2) gs in Mar.
Bowleaze (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) In touch, challenging 3 out, led before 2 out, headed last, no extra towards finish, 4th of 24, 4l behind Character Building (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Oodachee 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 12th (Canal Turn), soon in touch, ridden to chase winner last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 29, 2 1/4l behind Irish Raptor (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd.
Verasi 22-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden and hit 14th, no danger soon after, 7th of 10, 12l behind Lyes Green (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Briery Fox (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Held up well in rear, blundered 12th, headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, challenged last, led flat, kept on gamely, won at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar beating Out The Black (11-0) by nk, 12 ran.
Zacharova (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, back in touch 13th, pushed along 16th, not keen and dropped at least 10 lengths behind after 18th, rallied 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs beating Tank Top (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Darkness 16-1 (10-9) In touch, pushed along 19th, soon weakened, 13th of 40, 50l behind Mon Mome (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
