led to 2nd, in touch, mistake 12th (Canal Turn), no danger from 14th
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden after 2 out, led briefly last, one pace flat
in touch on outside, mistake 10th (Bechers), weakened after 3 out, jumped left last
chased leaders, mistake 9th, lost place, mistake 10th (Bechers), mistake 12th (Canal Turn), pulled up before 13th (Valentines)
held up towards rear, hampered 9th, badly hampered 10th (Bechers), never on terms after
mid-division, steady headway from 4 out, stayed on flat
held up in touch, lost place from 4 out
mid-division, headway when mistake and pecked 10th (Bechers), weakened 3 out
in touch, joined leader 13th (Valentines), led 2 out, headed last, one pace
held up in touch, hampered 9th, fell 10th (Bechers)
held up in rear, steady headway from 4 out, not fluent 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching elbow, soon switched slightly right, stayed on
held up, hampered 10th (Bechers), never on terms
held up towards rear, steady headway frosm 3 out, never near leaders
in touch until 7th, no danger after
in touch, fell 9th
led 2nd, headed 8th, regained lead 11th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, mistake 2nd, blundered and unseated rider 3rd (The Chair)
refused to race, took no part
soon with leader, led 8th to 11th, losing place when mistake 3 out, well behind when mistake 2 out
jumped slowly 7th, always in rear
towards rear until pulled up before 14th
prominent, pecked 7th and 8th, mistake 9th, fell 10th (Bechers)
prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, took closer order after 6th, still going well after 2 out, challenged last, soon led, kept on well
always behind
prominent when jumped slowly 1st, soon lost place and behind, slightly hampered 3rd, jumped right 7th and 8th, last when blundered and unseated rider 12th
hampered 10th (Bechers), always behind
held up in rear, not fluent and headway 8th, mistake 11th (Foinavon), stayed on from 2 out, not trouble leaders
chased leaders until pecked and lost place 6th, soon in rear
held up in touch, losing place when not fluent 10th (Bechers), soon behind
Longshanks runs here instead of in the National, and he gets the vote over Juveigneur, John James and Liberthine to name but three. The thrills and spills of the Grand National fences await this large field, and in the hope that his fitness stands up, Longshanks is selected. Kim Bailey's eight-year-old came from a long way back to finish second in this last year, and should make a bold bid to go one better as long as he has shrugged off the virus that forced him to miss Cheltenham's Sporting Index Chase. Connections should not be too downhearted that he failed to make the cut as this shorter trip will be as far as he wants to go without a prep race. If he does blow up, then Juveigneur could be the one to take advantage. Nicky Henderson's charge was already experienced in France before moving to Seven Barrows, and made an immediate impact when winning the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival. The soft ground will not be a hindrance, and with Mick Fitzgerald on board, he should get round. The Irish were successful three years ago with Its Time For A win and their best hope now lies with John James. Trainer Homer Scott was pleased with his prep run at Clonmel and as long as he copes with the fences, he should be in the shake-up. Juveigneur's stablemate Liberthine was a shock winner of the Mildmay Of Flete under Sam Waley Cohen at Cheltenham and although she might find the ground a bit too soft, is worth considering for a place. Jim Culloty rode Cassia Heights to victory last year and now partners Impek, while Howard Johnson, who has twice seen Scotmail Boy placed in this, runs Boys Hurrah. It all makes for an interesting spectacle, with only a narrow vote going to Longshanks.
Colca Canyon (IRE) 25-1 Held up in rear, hampered 11th, headway when blundered 4 out, weakened before last, 6th of 22, 15l behind Liberthine at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Impek (FR) 12-1 Mid-division, headway 10th, ridden when not much room approaching 2 out, kept on flat, 5th of 24, 10l behind Fota Island at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Turgeonev (FR) 25-1 Took keen hold in touch, hit 7th and 12th, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Supreme Prince at Newbury 2m 4f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Mar.
Alcapone (IRE) 2-1jt-fav Tracked leaders, 3rd 6 out, 2nd and driven along after next, no impression from 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Mossy Green at Thurles 2m 2f chs gs in Mar.
Liberthine (FR) 25-1 Held up well in rear, still plenty to do 3 out, headway under pressure next, led before last, ridden clear flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar beating Banker Count by 7l, 22 ran.
Le Duc (FR) 10-1 Held up in mid-division, effort 13th, weakening when fell at the last in race won by Liberthine at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar, 22 ran.
John James (IRE) 9-4fav Led, slight mistake 6 out and 4 out, ridden from 2 out, clear approaching last, eased close home, comfortably, won at Clonmel 2m 4f chs gs in Mar beating Quadco by 5l, 5 ran.
Juveigneur (FR) 12-1 In touch, headway going well approaching 4 out, tracked leading pair next, led before last, stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Mar beating Lord Of The River by 1 1/2l, 24 ran.
Longshanks 10-1 Disputed lead to 15th, stayed prominent, driven to take narrow advantage 3 out, drew clear run-in, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Jan beating Koquelicot by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Historic (IRE) 2-1fav Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, weakened quickly and hit 2 out, 7th of 9, well behind Whitenzo at Sandown 3m chs (E) gd in Feb.
Haut de Gamme (FR) 4-1 Held up in rear, smooth headway after 2 out, led flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (C) sft in Mar beating Strong Resolve by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Winning Dream (IRE) 25-1 Chased leaders, ridden in close 4th from 4 out, no extra under pressure straight, 9th of 18, 7l behind Arteea at Naas 2m nov hdl gs in Mar.
Whereareyounow (IRE) 20-1 Led to 6th, prominent until lost place 10th, soon tailed off, 14th of 20, 45l behind Kelami at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Wain Mountain 8-1 Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 12th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Whereareyounow at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs (B) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
Present Bleu (FR) 14-1 Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed approaching 12th, weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Auburn Spirit at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (C) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Better Days (IRE) 10-1 Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, mistake last, headed flat, no extra, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Overserved at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Mar.
Over The First (IRE) 9-1 Tracked leaders on outer, left 2nd 6 out, slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, 4th and no extra from last, 4th of 10, 11l behind Jim at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs hvy in Mar.
Swansea Bay 33-1 Always towards rear, 10th of 20, 22l behind Kelami at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Be My Better Half (IRE) 9-1 With leader, led 6th to 9th, prominent until weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Farmer Jack at Kempton 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) sft in Feb, 16 ran.
Knock Down (IRE) 100-1 Behind, no chance when mistake and hampered 3 out, 7th of 24, 20l behind Juveigneur at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Mar.
Wild Tempo (FR) 100-1 Always behind, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Philson Run at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Mar, 18 ran.
Spring Margot (FR) 11-10fav Tracked leaders, chased winner 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, about 2 lengths down last, just held near finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Soeur Fontenail at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Mar.
Itsonlyme (IRE) 50-1 Mid-division, weakened 12th, soon tailed off and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Juveigneur at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Cregg House (IRE) 12-1 Held up in rear, progress into moderate 5th 4 out, 4th next, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 10l behind Ground Ball at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs sft in Mar.
Ghadames (FR) 9-1 Held up, headway 11th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Fool On The Hill at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs.
Royal Atalza (FR) 14-1 Chased leaders, driven along 10th, outpaced after 4 out, 5th of 8, 21l behind Banker Count at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Feb.
Rathbawn Prince (IRE) 33-1 Prominent, ridden and hit 15th, weakening when hampered 3 out, 11th of 24, 45l behind Juveigneur at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd in Mar.
Munster (IRE) 10-1 Towards rear, no impression and kept on same pace from 4 out, 9th of 16, 31l behind Cherry Hunter at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-116 gs in Mar.
Hersov (IRE) 14-1 With leader, led 9th to 15th, led again 20th, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened 3 out, 5th of 18, 17l behind Philson Run at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Mar.
Boy's Hurrah (IRE) 7-4fav Led, hard pressed from 2 out, narrow advantage last, kept on run-in until headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Inca Trail at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Mar.
