tracked leaders, outpaced 16th, weakened after 4 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 11th, led 15th, drawing clear when not fluent 3 out, stayed on well
tracked leader until before 11th, outpaced 16th, well beaten 4th before 3 out
in touch, jumped slowly at times early stages, went 3rd 16th, taken wide and went 2nd briefly before 3 out, no chance with winner, soon back in well held 3rd
led, not fluent 4th or 12th, headed 15th, no chance with winner from 3 out, one pace
MENORAH ran well for a long way behind Silviniaco Conti in a Grade 1 at Aintree last time. The slight drop in distance should suit and Philip Hobbs' useful chaser, who beat Hunt Ball when he was in his prime at Kempton last season, can belatedly get off the mark for the year. Rolling Aces stepped up on previous efforts when beating all-bar Boston Bob in the Melling Chase at Aintree. He's a Grade 2 winner and entitled to go close again but this may be too competitive for Kelso winner Maggio and Gullinbursti has been coming up short in handicaps. I Have Dreamed faces a very stiff task following a lengthy absence.
Maggio (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leading pair, joined leader 12th, led 3 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m 7f lst chs (1) gs in Mar beating Mr Moonshine (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Menorah (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, hit 15th, soon ridden, close up when slow 2 out, 5th and no extra before last, 5th of 6, 14l behind Silviniaco Conti (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f chs G1 (1) gd.
Rolling Aces (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Led narrowly to 6th, tracked leader, effort to challenge after 2 out, led last, soon ridden, kept on, headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Boston Bob (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs G1 (1) gd.
Hunt Ball (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mistake 1st, mid-division, mistake 9th (valentines), chased leaders 3 out to next, soon weakened, tailed off, 17th of 40, well behind Pineau De Re (10-6) at Aintree 4m 3f (1) gs.
Gullinbursti (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 10th until 5 out, one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 17, 8l behind Duke Of Lucca (10-7) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd.
I Have Dreamed (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) In touch, headway 4 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, just held on, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul '12 beating Al Co (10-7) by shd, 16 ran.
