prominent, chased winner from 14th until 4 out, soon weakened
towards rear, fell 6th
held up, chased leaders approaching 4 out, no impression from next
held up, reminders after 3rd, effort 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
in touch, hit 4th and outpaced
in touch, chased leaders approaching 12th, went 2nd approaching 4 out until 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, soon prominent, blundered 9th, blundered badly 12th, weakened after 3 out
led until headed and hit 13th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden after 4 out, no impression
held up towards rear, not fluent when weakening 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden 12th, soon outpaced
prominent, led 13th, clear from 3 out, driven out
held up towards rear, chasing leaders when mistake 4 out, chased winner from 2 out, stayed on from last, always held
mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out
held up towards rear, effort 4 out, soon outpaced
chased leaders to 3rd, soon behind, weakened from 12th, pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Mr Strachan is selected ahead of Boychuk, Oedipe, Bible Lord and Kings Euro. Alderburn could go well and New Little Bric has always been well regarded but has been a bit disappointing this term. Oedipe looked like a future star when winning his sole start last season, he should be considered closely despite being well beaten on his only subsequent outing. Bible Lord has got his career back on track after a disappointing run in the Hennessy and looks ready for this step back up in trip. He finished 4 lengths in front of Boychuk at Cheltenham but the Hobbs horse ran a strange race, coming home with a wet sail having been tailed off at one stage; he could go well if able to keep tabs on the leaders. Kings Euro has progressed well throughout the course of the season but there must be a concern about this track for a horse that has already had next year's Welsh National earmarked as his long-term target. The selection was backed into favouritism at Cheltenham only to fall at the fifth; that was an uncharacteristic error. He chased home L'Antartique and Tidal Bay on his first two starts and beat the Arkle second over two and a half miles in December. He's bred to relish this trip despite seemingly fail to stay at Newbury in February, his yard is absolutely flying and he looks well handicapped. Mr Strachan should be backed to recoup those Cheltenham losses.
State of Play 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 16th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, well behind Knowhere (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Mister Top Notch (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Close 2nd and disputed lead, led travelling well 3 out, drew clear from next, not extended, won at Fairyhouse 2m hdl gs in Mar beating Boulavogue (11-9) by 7l, 6 ran.
Celestial Gold (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Denman (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
New Little Bric (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Held up behind, niggled along from 8th, headway after 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 21l behind Maljimar (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Jan.
Alderburn 11-1 (11-0) Keen early, held up, headway 5 out, led next, ridden and headed before 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Cloudy Lane (11-9) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Rayshan (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Prominent, led 3 out, hard ridden, kept on gamely, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb beating Silver Sedge (10-10) by 3l, 12 ran.
Bagan (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Held up and behind, pecked 12th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Albertas Run (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Bible Lord (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 9th, mistake next, ridden when mistake 3 out, hampered 2 out, one pace, 4th of 22, 29l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Kings Euro (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Led, mistake 12th, ridden 3 out, clear last, weakened and headed close home, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind The Real Deal (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
Boychuk (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Towards rear, blundered and lost place 10th, stayed on well from 2 out, 6th of 22, 33l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Coat of Honour (USA) 33-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, blundered when struggling 2 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Millenium Royal (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 13-2fav (10-11) In touch when fell at the 5th in race won by Finger Onthe Pulse (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs (1) gs in Mar, 20 ran.
Oedipe (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Towards rear, mistake 6th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 13th of 22, 45l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Three Mirrors 7-1 (10-8) In rear, lost touch 7th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Calatagan (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Kock de La Vesvre (FR) 28-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place after 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Yardbird (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Silver Sedge (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 9th, led 3 out, clear 2 out, ridden last, held on towards finish, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Mar beating Snoopy Loopy (10-13) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Irish Wolf (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Held up, pushed along halfway, soon lost touch and pulled up at the 11th in race won by The Whisperer (11-0) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (2) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
Ardaghey (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) In rear, mistake 2nd, well behind when pulled up at the 9th in race won by High Chimes (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
