held up towards rear, headway 6th, led after 2 out, edged right, hit last and headed, not pace of winner
led until 4th, weakened after 8th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden when mistake 3 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, one pace last
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, challenging when hit 3 out, led next, soon headed, not fluent last, one pace
prominent, close up 3 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, headway after 5th, not fluent 8th, every chance 3 out, 4th and one pace when bad mistake last
in touch, lost place after 2nd, mistake 6th, ridden and effort when mistake 3 out, not able to trouble leaders
held up, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold in mid-division, mistake 3rd, no impression 2 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, led last, quickened clear
held up towards rear, headway when jumped left and mistake 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, outpaced after 8th, stayed on approaching last, no threat
held up in rear, ridden 7th, never on terms
Nonrunner
Several of these remain capable of better, in particular First Stream who would surely be a factor here if showing some improvement in the jumping department. He won first-time-out last year so isn't one to overlook lightly, but our preference is for WOT WAY CHIEF. Malcolm Jefferson's charge ran well under this talented apprentice when third last time over a trip shy of his best, so with a greater test of stamina here he should better that effort with ground conditions ideal. Banquet is a lazy sort but the ability is there, as it is with Munlochy Bay although she needed to be rousted along throughout when last seen over three miles. Faith And Reason needs a market check while Peter Grimes is surely better than he's shown and Dontpaytheferryman is a reliable type, albeit one with few secrets from the handicapper.
First Stream (GER) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leading pair after last, no impression, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Grandad Bill (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Banquet (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed after last, rallied to regain lead towards finish, all out, won at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov '08 beating Sacrilege (10-12) by hd, 14 ran.
Political Paddy Evensfav (10-11) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th, reminders after 9th, behind when blundered and unseated rider 11th, in a race won by Dallas Bell (10-9) at Hexham 3m 1f beg chase (4) sft in Mar, 6 ran.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, in 4th approaching 3 out and pushed along, kept on from 2 out, chased leading pair flat, no impression, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Maska Pony (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Wot Way Chief 5-1 (11-1) Mid-division, blundered 5th, headway after 3 out, challenged last, no extra and edged right final 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Black Jacari (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
Peter Grimes (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) In touch, not fluent and reminders after 4th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Miss Ladybird (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Yeoman Spirit (IRE) 3-1fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, lost place from 4 out, 3rd of 6, 33l behind Wizards Dust (10-8) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Dakota Boy (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, hampered on bend approaching 5th, headway when hampered 6th, went 2nd next, closed 2 out, led flat, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun beating Cannon Fire (10-10) by hd, 9 ran.
Munlochy Bay 28-1 (9-11) In rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 3rd, ridden after 6th, headway 2 out, switched left approaching last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr beating Qroktou (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 20 ran.
Faith And Reason (USA) 33-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division on inside, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind What's Occurrin (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Blazing Desert 5-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway 5th, close up 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 12, 24l behind Nearby (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Viva Colonia (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, chased winner approaching 3 out until before 2 out where mistake, weakened before last, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Kijivu (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
Knock Three Times (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, stayed on from last, no impression, 5th of 14, 17l behind Grand Diamond (10-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
San Deng 9-2 (11-6) With leader until 3rd, pushed along briefly 5th, disputing close 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Troodos Jet (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Aug, 6 ran.
Border Tale 12-1 (10-12) Led to 1st, tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 10th of 14, 26l behind Grand Diamond (10-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Stopped Out 22-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 32l behind Nearby (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Goldan Jess (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression from 2 out, 6th of 12, 30l behind Jeu De Roseau (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.