made all, shaken up 3 out, went clear 2 out, driven out flat
prominent, ridden and lost place 11th, mistake 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 18th
in touch, headway 10th, ridden and went second after 4 out, kept on same pace
chased winner, reminder after 6th, ridden 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
prominent, ridden 15th, weakened after 4 out
held up, headway after 10th, ridden 4 out, stayed on same pace
always behind, ridden 16th, tailed off from 4 out
Withdrawn
PRESENTING EXPRESS is our pick with Very Cool and College Ace likely to give him most to think about. Emma Lavelle was among the winners at Aintree last week and she may be able to win this National with the ten-year-old. Lightly raced this term, he shaped well from an absence at Huntingdon and should be spot on for this assignment. Very Cool has always promised as a likely staying chaser. He made all to win at Newbury in February though was held on a subsequent visit to that course last month. College Ace appears to have improved for the application of cheekpieces. He was left clear at the last at Stratford though probably would have won anyway. I Hear Thunder has become a regular in races of this nature and should have his favoured ground conditions this afternoon. Tom Sayers has been a tad disappointing since returning from over a season on the sidelines. Hello Bud was able to make hay from some very low marks though now has it to prove. Fine By Me is useful in small fields and will give supporters a run for their money at bigger odds. Tora Bora is tried in a first time visor. Presenting Express receives the nod.
Hello Bud (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led 14th, headed 16th, led again 18th, headed 6 out, quickly weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Jass (10-7) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan, 19 ran.
Tom Sayers (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) In touch, mistake 7th, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, 5th of 11, 8l behind Lyes Green (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
College Ace (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, led approaching 4 out, 3 lengths ahead when left clear last, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar beating Gold Heart (11-12) by 15l, 9 ran.
Tora Bora (GER) 40-1 (11-5) Always behind, ridden 7th, soon struggling, tailed off 4 out, 10th of 11, well behind Sashenka (10-1) at Ascot 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Very Cool 3-1 (10-13) Led, ridden along from 9th, blundered 13th, headed 4 out, ridden and hit next, no chance with winner before 2 out, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Picts Hill (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 8th, ridden after 4 out, headed flat, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Cava Bien (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Fine By Me (IRE) 5-1fav (9-12) Held up towards rear, headway 17th, chased winner approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Chiaro (11-12) at Hereford 3m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Presenting Express (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Held up, headway approaching 4th, chased winner next, every chance 3 out, ridden after 2 out, edged right and weakening when mistake last, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Pairc Na Gcapall (10-6) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Mar.
