mid-division, mistakes, reminders 7th, headway approaching 9th, lost place when jumped slowly 11th, pulled up before 13th
led 2nd, headed when not fluent 8th, led 9th until 10th, led 11th, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway 3rd, not fluent 10th, weakened 13th, pulled up before 4 out
held up on outside, not fluent 4th or 10th, effort from 13th, outpaced 4 out, well beaten after next
led until 2nd, prominent, not fluent 10th or 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, outpaced by leaders when not fluent 2 out, plugged on
held up in rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent 10th, well beaten 14th, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, lost place when jumped slowly 2nd, not fluent and ridden 5th, mistake 7th, last next, well behind 14th, pulled up before 4 out
held up on outside, headway 2nd, challenged 3 out, held by winner before last, stayed on
prominent, led 8th untiil 9th, led next until 11th, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
Some old favourites line up here and four of them have already scored over today's course and distance. Desperate Dex has been in terrific form but is racing from out of the handicap in this higher grade, as is The Sawyer. Master Overseer is a bit of enigma but can be tough to pass if in the mood, though is likely to be taken on for the lead in this by Richard's Sundance. Pentiffic is probably the pick of Venetia Williams' pair ahead of former Grand National winner Mon Mome but he disappointed off a lower mark at Catterick last time while Tamarinbleu and Sea Saffron have started to show their age lately. MICHEL LE BON was pulled up in the Welsh National but was second in a Listed handicap over track and trip on his reappearance and a repeat of that effort would probably suffice today.
Michel Le Bon (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 11th, blundered badly next, tailed off before 5 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Monbeg Dude (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy, 17 ran.
Master Overseer (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 5th, well behind 13th, tailed off before 5 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Monbeg Dude (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy, 17 ran.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 50-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, slow 12th, driven and struggling after 16th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Katenko (10-6) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) sft.
Pentiffic (NZ) 9-2fav (11-1) Close up, outpaced from 5 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 14, 16l behind Chac Du Cadran (10-7) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Led until 4 out, mistake and no extra 2 out, 5th of 11, 22l behind Handtheprizeover (9-8) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Mon Mome (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden in rear 10th, tailed off before 5 out, 8th of 17, well behind Monbeg Dude (10-1) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy.
Sea Saffron 66-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, not fluent 11th, mistake and lost touch 14th, pulled up before 16th, in a race won by Rigadin De Beauchene (10-3) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft, 13 ran.
Jaunty Journey 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, pushed along before 16th, weakened from 17th, 10th of 14, 41l behind Chac Du Cadran (10-7) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Desperate Dex (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway from 2 out, went 3rd before last, kep ton to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Chac Du Cadran (10-7) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
The Sawyer (BEL) 16-1 (9-7) With leaders, lost place 5 out, ridden and weakened after next, 5th of 10, 37l behind Big Fella Thanks (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft.
