tracked leader, led 15th to 16th, ridden after 5 out, every chance when mistake 4 out, weakened 3 out
led to 15th, weakened quickly after 16th, behind when pulled up before 17th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 7th, mistake 11th, headway when not fluent 15th, weakened approaching 4 out
chased leaders until after 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
held up, mistake 5th, headway approaching 15th, weakened after 4 out
prominent, ridden after 5 out, stayed on one pace
held up towards rear, effort approaching 5 out, weakening when mistake 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
always behind
in touch, ridden after 3 out, stayed on one pace
held up, mistake 1st, blundered 2nd, some headway 5 out, never dangerous
held up and took keen hold, headway approaching 10th, lost place 13th, headway again approaching 5 out, weakened before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 5 out, never near leaders
mid-division, headway 8th, chased winner approaching 4 out, every chance 3 out, one pace
always prominent, led 16th, clear last, easily
mid-division, losing place when blundered 12th, behind from 14th
This is a cracking contest for this time of the year and the pick of the weights could be Commanche War Paint, Pay It Forward and the Martin Pipe pair Meneur De Jeu and Isard are also expected to run well. Ruby Walsh has been the man to follow in the main Nationals this season and he can gain another marathon success on the Paul Nicholls trained gelding. He was a faller when made favourite for the Cross Country Chase at the Festival, before making amends with an emphatic victory at the same venue a month later. Off his current mark with a clear round he should be there or thereabouts. Play It Forward is tackling this sort of trip for the first time but has been in good form back home and has to be respected. Isard is the mount of Timmy Murphy and also trying four miles for the first time, he should go well but preference is for his stable-mate Meneur De Jeu. Tony McCoy's mount looked an out an out stayer when chasing home Hirvine back in January and he should be spot on for this having landed a recent hurdle event at Newton Abbot. The Willie Mullins trained Bassett Tiger looks the pick of the others, but with the National king Ruby on board, Comanche War Paint gets the decision.
