mid-division, in touch on outside 6th, challenged before 2 out, every chance last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, held towards finish
mid-division, in touch 6th, led narrowly before 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on under pressure flat
soon led, headed after 6th, lost place and behind 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, led after 6th, headed before 2 out, weakened between last 2
behind, struggling after 5th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
towards rear, headway and in touch 6th, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
prominent, lost place and ridden before 6th, soon behind, tailed off
in touch, lost place 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, driven when mistake and dropped to mid-division next, always under pressure and no danger after, weakened before 2 out
towards rear of mid-division, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
in rear, reminders after 3rd, struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
This is a competitive seller with a few of the runners dropping into this grade for the first time. Marju King is one and he has each-way claims. Regal One is another while Full Ov Beans has won four times over fences. VIKING BLOND hasn't won a race of any description since 2011 but ran in last year's Grand National and all four of his runs this season have been in much better company. He'll need a strong pace to be effective over this trip but might be in a different league to these if he gets it. Stow's form figures are impressive but he's been well placed this season and can be a hard ride. He's also conceding upwards of 10lb to his rivals in this.
Stow 4-6fav (11-1) Chased leaders, effort 3 out, every chance 2 out, led approaching last, ran on strongly, won at Taunton 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gd beating Regal D'estruval (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Alsadaa (USA) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked winner, ridden after 8th, hit 2 out when slightly outpaced by leaders, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Pullyourfingerout (10-7) at Worcester 2m nov chs (4) gf in Aug '11.
Bob's Legend (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 6th, not fluent 2 out or last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Sedgemoor Express (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Sep.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 10-1 (11-2) Prominent, led after 4th, jumped right 6th, headed 11th, weakened after 13th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Mister Grez (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Full Ov Beans 11-2 (11-6) In touch, ridden and lost place 8th, hit next, well beaten 11th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Lord Landen (10-7) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
Gainsborough's Art (IRE) 66-1 (9-9) Took keen hold, chasing leaders on outside, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 6, 28l behind Fidelor (11-1) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.
Marju King (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 5th, well beaten 3 out, 9th of 10, 34l behind Ballincurrig (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Monroe Park (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden 6th, outpaced next, headway 2 out, driven and kept on to go 2nd flat, no threat to winner, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Regal D'estruval (10-10) at Fakenham 2m sell hdl (5) gd.
Regal One (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) In touch, headway on inside to chase leaders 2nd, weakened and eased well before 2 out, 5th of 7, 36l behind Hold The Bucks (9-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Viking Blond (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, reminders after 3rd, lost place before 4th, pulled up after 6th, in a race won by Top Wood (11-7) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb, 13 ran.
Amazingreyce 80-1 (9-11) In rear, not fluent and struggling 4th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Jack Albert (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd, 13 ran.
Elixir Du Lac 100-1 (10-5) In touch on outside until almost unseated rider when went left and blundered badly 4th, soon behind, no danger after, tailed off 3 out, 11th of 12, well behind Madness Light (10-9) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.