held up in mid-division, headway 25th (Valentines), tracking leaders when hampered 4 out, ridden 3 out, gradually weakened
mid-division, outpaced 5 out
mid-division, blundered badly, unseated rider 25th (Valentines)
close up, led 4th to 6th (Bechers Brook), led again approaching 16th until 24th (Canal Turn), weakened after next, behind when pulled up before last
mid-division, fell 25th (Valentines)
in touch, fell 8th (Canal Turn)
tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 25th (Valentines)
towards rear, fell 4th
towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
mid-division, blundered and fell 4th
held up in touch, headway to track leaders 19th, close up when fell at 22nd (Bechers Brook)
held up towards rear, headway 23rd (Foinavon), tracking leaders 3 out, effort next, one pace flat
held up in touch, headway to lead 24th (Canal Turn), headed after 4 out, weakened
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 19th
towards rear, fell 2nd
close up, headway to join leader after 4 out, challenged 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace flat
held up in touch, headway to lead after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, fell 11th
mid-division, weakened halfway, blundered and unseated rider 20th
in touch fell 20th
behind, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
raced wide, chased leaders until blundered badly and fell 4 out
led to 1st, in touch when fell 6th (Bechers Brook)
chased leaders to 6th (Bechers Brook), lost place after, rallied briefly after 3 out, no impression
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 19th
mid-division, outpaced 5 out, rallied and effort approaching 2 out, no impression after
held up in mid-division, headway 5 out, tracking leaders approaching 2 out, ridden and effort last, stayed on to go 2nd flat
mid-division, headway 18th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
always behind
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 19th
tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
towards rear, fell 2nd
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, led 2 out, stayed on strongly
mid-division, headway 19th to track leaders, ridden 3 out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, headway and in touch when mistake and fell 11th
led 1st to 4th, led 6th until headed approaching 16th, soon weakened, finish tailed off
towards rear, struggling from halfway
close up, fell 2nd
towards rear, hampered and fell 8th (Canal Turn)
mid-division, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Comply Or Die looks the most likely winner of this year's National although Slim Pickings, Cloudy Lane and Bewleys Berry are all likely to attract their supporters. David Pipe's charge won the Eider in fine style earlier in the season and from a form book perspective, still looks to be unexposed. He has had problems in the past in relation to fitness but David Johnson has very much played the long game and he can gain due reward today. Slim Pickings looked a likely winner of the National last year. He's seven pounds higher but one year more experienced. Cloudy Lane has been all the rage over the ante-post betting. Vouchers of 25/1 look appealing now and while he is technically well in versus when the weights were published; he is unproven over the trip and this is a unique race where things can happen. Bewleys Berry has a degree of class about him. He and Mr Pointment ran brave races in the Becher. The latter has burst blood vessels since so remains a questionable betting proposition as a consequence. Howard Johnson's horse has a nice racing weight and should be a factor if securing a passage. Hedgehunter won in 2005 and looks to be coming back to himself. Ruby Walsh elected to ride him ahead of Turko. Simon stays well and has obvious claims. Snowy Morning has been highly tried this season and is here off the back of a poor fencing performance. Butlers Cabin was selected by Tony McCoy and while he has a bit to do, that won't stop the housewives money going on. Knowhere has had a fantastic season and owes connections nothing. Of the outsiders Vodka Bleu makes some appeal if he gets the trip. Black Apalachi isn't straight forward but he is entirely workmanlike and if he takes to the track and first time visors, he could represent massive value. L'Ami was quietly fancied for this last term but hasn't shown much sparkle this term. Fundamentalist has run well at Aintree over shorter. Naunton Brook is always dangerous if getting the run of the race but that is not guaranteed here. Comply Or Die looks to have plenty of positives in this race and we take him to pick up the season's premier prize.
Hedgehunter (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd after halfway, ridden 4 out, went moderate 2nd 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Afistfullofdollars (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 gs in Feb.
Hi Cloy (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th 4 out, improved into 2nd and challenged after 3 out, close up when not fluent next, outpaced and no impression from before last, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Shakervilz (11-2) at Fairyhouse 3m hdl gs in Mar.
Knowhere (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Mid-division, hit 4th and next, mistake 9th and 13th, struggling next, 6th of 12, 48l behind Denman (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Mr Pointment (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Not fluent early, with leader, led 8th, headed 5 out, ridden and weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Cloudy Lane (11-9) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Turko (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, mistake 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Our Vic (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Tracked laders, ridden after 16th, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 8, 20l behind Knowhere (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Simon 10-1 (11-11) Led until 2nd, chased clear leader, outpaced 14th, headway when mistake last, stayed on strongly flat, 4th of 15, 7l behind Gungadu (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Feb.
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.
Iron Man (FR) 100-1 (11-10) Mid-division, hit 9th, struggling 14th, weakened 17th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Denman (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 28-1 (11-10) Towards rear, not fluent 5th, effort and mistake 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 22, 24l behind Mister McGoldrick (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Butler's Cabin (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Held up, reminders after 3rd, jumped left from 16th, ridden 17th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 6, well behind Neptune Collonges (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Feb.
Slim Pickings (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up, progress into 7th 5 out, 5th 3 out, moderate 4th before last, no extra, 5th of 12, 9l behind Well Tutored (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs gs in Mar.
Chelsea Harbour (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, some progress 3 out, 7th after 2 out, stayed on, 4th of 12, 6l behind Well Tutored (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs gs in Mar.
Vodka Bleu (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Behind, not fluent 11th, kept on approaching 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 33l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Feb.
L'ami (FR) 11-2fav (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and not fluent 2 out, chased winner flat, one pace, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind An Accordion (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Snowy Morning (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Held up, progress into 4th 4 out, ridden 3 out, moderate 4th 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Afistfullofdollars (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 gs in Feb.
Bewleys Berry (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 13th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Miko de Beauchene (11-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
Contraband 200-1 (11-10) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 15th in race won by Denman (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
Mckelvey (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) With leader, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 44l behind Reel Charmer (11-6) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Joaaci (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Led to 8th, weakened after 3 out, soon eased, 7th of 9, 29l behind Special Rate (10-8) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Point Barrow (IRE) 13-8 (11-0) Tracked leaders, progress into 2nd after 5 out, ridden after 3 out, 3rd 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 7, 9l behind In The Loop (11-0) at Down Royal 3m 2f chs hvy in Mar.
D'Argent (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, led 6th, headed 4 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 16, 26l behind Miko de Beauchene (11-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
No Full (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead after 5 out, strongly pressed from 3 out, headed after 2 out, no extra, kept on, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Sher Beau (11-2) at Navan 2m 4f chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Mar.
Baily Breeze (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Prominent to 6th, lost place next, trailing before 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, 49l behind Well Tutored (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs gs in Mar.
Bob Hall (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up, blundered 5th, behind after 15th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by An Accordion (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Cloudy Lane 10-3 (11-9) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar beating Ungaro (11-7) by 7l, 7 ran.
King Johns Castle (IRE) 10-3fav (10-7) Mid-division, lost place before 4 out, headway after 3 out, 5th 2 out, ridden in 4th last, kept on well run-in to lead close home, won at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Mar beating Gabrona (10-2) by 4l, 13 ran.
Mon Mome (FR) 15-2 (10-8) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 15th, soon well behind, 6th of 14, 22l behind An Accordion (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Cornish Sett (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Always behind, 8th of 18, well behind Miko de Beauchene (10-5) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Naunton Brook 9-1 (10-13) Mid-division until 4th, soon struggling in rear, never a danger, 9th of 16, well behind Himalayan Trail (9-9) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Mar.
Tumbling Dice (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, 36l behind Maralan (11-10) at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 gs in Feb.
Backbeat (IRE) 10-3fav (11-6) Led, blundered 8th, headed next, soon ridden, weakening when hit 2 out, 4th of 13, 15l behind Dundock (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Comply Or Die (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Led to after 1st, remained prominet, effort when hung left 3 out, led before next, 5 lengths clear last, ridden and kept on well flat, won at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Feb beating Elvis Returns (10-4) by 8l, 18 ran.
Idle Talk (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 15th, weakened next, 5th of 24, 29l behind High Chimes (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Kelami (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 4 out, soon ridden to challenge, every chance when not fluent last, no extra flat, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Gungadu (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Feb.
Milan Deux Mille (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Held up, not fluent 2nd, mistake 4th, headway 10th, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Natal (10-1) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Nadover (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Led, hit 7th, ridden when headed 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 12, 32l behind Pistol Desbois (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Mar.
Black Apalachi (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Prominent early, dropped towards rear halfway, no extra from 3 out, 10th of 12, 26l behind Well Tutored (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs gs in Mar.
Philson Run (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up, behind, ridden when brought down 5 out in race won by Miko de Beauchene (11-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
Dun Doire (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Held up in rear, progress 5 out, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, challenged 2 out, led briefly, headed approaching last, switched run-in, no extra, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind In The Loop (11-0) at Down Royal 3m 2f chs hvy in Mar.
