mid-division, ridden 4 out, one pace from next
prominent, ridden 10th, soon behind
held up, headway, 5 out, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, led 4 out, driven clear (no time taken)
led, headed 4 out, pulled up 2 out
in rear, blundered 3rd, pulled up 7th
chased leaders, ridden 10th, tailed off and pulled up next
mid-division, ridden and one pace from 4 out
Nonrunner
Grand National hero Auroras Encore reappears after his failure in the Scottish version a fortnight later and will begin his preparation for Aintree here. It's quite likely his stablemate Cloudy Too will have the edge after running well for a long way in the Hennessy with any further rain aiding his cause. SYDNEY PAGET is the youngest in the line-up but looked a tremendous prospect when beating Silver By Nature at Haydock where he was eased down to a walk after taking the race by the scruff of the neck. He'll improve again and looks the one to beat. Nuts N Bolts also galloped his rivals into the ground at Haydock and an end-to-end gallop is exactly what's required so he is likely to be in the shake-up. Cape Tribulation, who was quietly fancied for the Gold Cup in March, has disappointed but any sign of a return to form will see him in the mix while recent Cheltenham winner Alvarado can go well as he's another with the scope to do better.
Cape Tribulation 50-1 (11-12) Slightly hampered 14th, pushed along and struggling after 16th, always towards rear,, 16th of 21, well behind Triolo D'Alene (11-1) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov.
Junior 50-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, blundered badly 6th (chair), soon lost place, jumped slowly 8th, tailed off 12th, pulled up before 13th (bechers brook), in a race won by Chance Du Roy (10-6) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) sft, 22 ran.
Auroras Encore (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Towards rear, hampered 2nd, blundered 7th, headway after 17th, weakened 7 out, pulled up, in a race won by Godsmejudge (11-3) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 24 ran.
Cloudy Too (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 10th, hit 15th, went 2nd after 17th, led 4 out, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened quickly next, 12th of 21, 29l behind Triolo D'Alene (11-1) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov.
Sydney Paget (IRE) 5-1fav (10-13) Always prominent, jumped well, led 6th, clear after 4 out, very easily, eased close home, won at Haydock 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov beating Silver By Nature (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Master Of The Hall (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Held up behind, struggling 5 out, never dangerous, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Hey Big Spender (11-4) at Newcastle 3m listed hcp chs (1) gd in Nov.
Nuts N Bolts 8-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 16th, chased leaders 6 out, hit 4 out, led next, mistake 2 out, hard ridden, stayed on strongly, won at Haydock 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov beating Red Rocco (11-9) by 6l, 11 ran.
Tullamore Dew (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Held up, not fluent 8th, headway before next, 3rd and one pace 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression on winner, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Balthazar King (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Oct.
Wayward Prince 9-1 (11-10) Slithered badly on landing 1st, last after, mistake 3rd, lost touch 7th, pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Unioniste (11-6) at Aintree 3m 1f lst chs (1) gs, 6 ran.
Alvarado (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear on inside, switched outside and headway before 3 out, 5th and ridden approaching last, stayed on to lead flat, ran on, won at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov beating Knockara Beau (10-13) by 2l, 13 ran.
