led, blundered 11th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, outpaced, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway to track leader halfway, led 4 out, driven clear approaching 2 out, ridden flat, headed no extra final 75 yards
mid-division, ridden, lost place 11th, no impression from 3 out
always behind
chased leader to halfway, soon struggling, behind when pulled up before 10th
mid-division, lost place 7th, mistake 9th, soon behind
mid-division, ridden, lost touch 10th, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden, lost place 10th, soon behind, pulled up after 12th
behind from 5th, tailed off from 4 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, driven, headway to go 2nd after 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to lead final 75 yards
behind, driven 12th, kept on under pressure from 3 out, never near leaders
chased leaders at 12th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
Bang And Blame has topweight but can overcome the burden at the expense of Canavan, Red Perk and Gimme Shelter. Bang And Blame has been profitable to follow since teaming up with Mike McAllister, and in fact the combination shared defeat for the first time when eventually sixth in the North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick in January. As on previous occasions, Mick Easterby's charge set out to try and make all of the running, but a series of mistakes cost him dear. Back down in grade and distance though, the 10-year-old is taken to get back to winning ways despite having gone up in the weights for those sterling efforts this winter. Canavan gained due reward for a couple of fair efforts here when slogging his way to victory over the course-and-distance a month ago, and at the age of seven he has the scope to keep up with the handicapper, so is on the short-list as well. Red Perk was back on a fair mark when returning to winning ways at Newcastle and has conditions in his favour so can also make his presence felt. Old Gimme Shelter normally gives his all but is hard to place these days, while The River Joker has failed to ger round in two previous visits here. In contrast, Bang And Blame loves it round here and looks set to gain his fourth success over track and trip.
Bang And Blame (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Led, blundered 9th, ridden, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 15l behind Prince of Slane (9-13) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
Canavan (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, clear approaching next, hung right flat, driven out, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) sft in Jan beating Matmata de Tendron (11-0) by 16l, 8 ran.
Red Perk (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 10th, led approaching 5 out, driven clear approaching last, comfortably, won at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft beating Harrovian (11-7) by 7l, 14 ran.
Lazy But Lively (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Calvic (11-8) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs, 11 ran.
Gimme Shelter (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Made most until headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 10, 21l behind San Peire (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Falchion 11-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place 10th, headway 5 out, ridden and hit 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 10, 21l behind Briar's Mist (10-5) at Newcastle 3m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Moon Mist 3-1fav (10-13) Led until fell 5th fell at the 5th in race won by Farington Lodge (10-13) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Matmata de Tendron (FR) 4-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, jumped left 3rd, headway 7th, jumped left again 10th, weakened 12th, 6th of 14, well behind Jacarado (10-7) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-88 (5) sft.
