raced wide mid-division, headway from 12th, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
in rear, reminders 2nd, blundered 19th, still last and plenty to do 4 out, 7th last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner
close up, led going well soon after 3 out, clear last, stayed on strongly
held up mid-division, steady headway from 18th, chasing leaders when pecked 4 out, soon ridden and no extra
held up and behind, headway 13th, chased leaders going well after 4 out, kept on flat
behind, in rear when pulled up quickly before 12th, dismounted, lame
mid-division, weakened and behind from 16th, tailed off
mid-division, headway and mistake 15th, ridden and no extra from 4 out
took keen hold tracking leaders, behind from 18th
tracked leader from 7th, led 15th to 3 out, one pace from next
held up, ridden from 13th, soon lost place, pulled up before 15th
held up mid-division, mistake 8th, steady headway from 17th, led briefly 3 out, outpaced next, lost 2nd flat
always behind, pulled up before 15th
chased leader 4th to 7th, lost place and in rear from 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
started slowly and reluctant to race, headway and in touch 13th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last
led to 14th, weakened rapidly 19th, pulled up before last
A fascinating renewal with the likes of Ad Hoc, Bounce Back and Gunther McBride holding strong claims but preference is for Stormez. Martin Pipe's charge has proved a tough and consistent staying chaser having won seven times over fences this season and was far from disgraced when beaten a length behind Ryalux in the Scottish National last time. All ground comes alike to the son of Ezzoud and he should make a bold bid off a 2lb higher mark with Tony McCoy in the plate. Ad Hoc ran well for a long way before unseating his rider in the Grand National and took this two years ago. However, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding has not won over fences since and remains high in the handicap. Bounce Back was an impressive winner of this twelve months ago and will appreciate fast ground but is now 10lb higher and has failed to sparkle during a light campaign this time around. Gunther Mcbride unseated behind the selection at Ayr last time but has strong claims on his previous second behind La Landiere in the Racing Post Chase while the relatively unexposed Killusty and the lightly weighted Frosty Canyon have solid place claims.
