chased leaders, lost place approaching 6th, slightly hampered 8th, pecked 10th (Bechers), no chance when mistake 2 out
held up, hampered 3rd, (The Chair), mistake 10th (Bechers), headway approaching 4 out, stayed on from 2 out
held up, hampered 3rd (The Chair), fell 10th (Bechers)
mid-division, headway when hampered 8th, hampered 10th (Bechers), weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, fell 3rd (The Chair)
chased leaders, still in touch when fell 10th (Bechers)
in touch, left chasing leading pair 10th (Bechers), joined leader 2 out, jumped slightly right last, soon led, stayed on
held up towards rear, fell 8th
mid-division, headway on outside when fell 10th (Bechers)
mid-division, headway approaching 13th (Valentines), 7th when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
chased leader, jumped left 13th (Valentines), ridden and lost 2nd approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, blundered 7th and lost place, slightly hampered 10th (Bechers), soon well behind
in touch, jumped left and mistake 6th, stuggling when hampered 10th (Bechers), behind after
behind, hampered 3rd (The Chair), tailed of when hamepered 10th (Bechers) stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 7th, no impression on leaders from 4 out
mid-division, headway approaching 13th (Valentines), stayed on same pace from 3 out
made most, ridden and joined from 2 out, headed soon after last, stayed on
behind until hampered and unseated rider 10th (Bechers)
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, fell 10th (Bechers)
in rear, jumped slowly 5th, well behind from 10th (Bechers)
held up in touch, badly hampered 10th (Bechers), weakened after 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, hampered 10th (Bechers), blundered last, stayed on flat
mid-division, headway 5th, 3rd when fell 10th (Bechers)
held up towards rear, steady headway from 11th (Foinavon), every chance approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
prominent until blundered and unseated rider 8th
held up in touch, lost place 8th, slightly hampered 10th (Bechers), hit 11th (Foinavon), soon struggling, tailed off
prominent, disputing 4th when brought down 10th (Bechers)
led to 1st, in mid-division from 4th, well behind from 10th (Bechers), tailed off
A massive entry of 30 will bid to make it round safely over the National fences, and our vote goes to Burwood Breeze over Hakim, Nycteos, Dunbrody Millar and Euro Leader to name but a few. Burwood Breeze pays his first visit to Aintree but trainer Tom George is bullish about the chances of his 10-year-old who, considering his age, has been relatively lightly raced since scoring over fences at Lingfield in 2004. He caught the eye when beaten by Ossmoses at Haydock in December 2004, and having been off the track for a year, ran a blinder in the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown in March, finishing fourth to Inca Trail. That will have blown the cobwebs away, and, sure to have been well schooled since, he makes appeal off a light weight. Hakim is a big danger as he was successful over these fences in the Becher Chase last November and has kept his form in two subsequent outings. John Spearing's charge is a bold jumper who will be bang there at the finish. Nycteos lines up in search of a hat-trick but at the age of five is certainly pitched in at the deep end here, so let us hope that the experience does not dent his confidence. Dunbrody Millar landed the Sussex National at the turn of the year but was pulled up on his latest outing at the Cheltenham Festival. If recovered his jumping will enable him to get round at least and he could easily make the frame. Euro Leader was an early casualty in the Racing Post Plate at the Cheltenham Festival but by and large he has been in fair form and makes more appeal than compatriot Cregg House who is 2lb higher than when successful in this 12 months ago. Star Clipper has the assistance of Paul Carberry who knows all about these fences and Noel Meade's Munster National winner is also worth a mention on this, his first trip across the Irish sea. Better Days has safely negotiated these obstacles three times now, having finished 8th in 2004, 9th last year, and seventh in the Grand Sefton in November. He will give you a run for your money and his stable is in form, but the pin comes down on Burwood Breeze.
Le Passing (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, lost place approaching 8th, well behind 12th, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 24, 20l behind Non So (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Euro Leader (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up, towards rear when fell at the 8th in race won by Non So (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Almost Broke 10-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 6th, hampered 8th, mistake 10th, ridden when hampered again 12th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Our Armageddon (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb, 13 ran.
Scots Grey 40-1 (11-10) Prominent to 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by You're Special (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar, 21 ran.
Tamango (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 13th, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 24, 27l behind Non So (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
The Last Cast 25-1 (11-12) Always behind, struggling from 8th, tailed off from 5 out, last of 9, well behind Claymore (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Feb.
Liberthine (FR) 7-1jt-fav (11-0) Towards rear, some headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 21, 19l behind You're Special (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Star Clipper 20-1 (10-13) Held up, 8th 6 out, headway after 2 out, 5th before last, ran on strongly, just failed, 2nd of 11, hd behind New Field (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs gs in Mar.
Nycteos (FR) 4-5fav (11-7) Held up, headway 6th to chase leader, hit 4 out, led after 3 out, ridden last, hung right and headed flat, ran on to lead close home, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar beating Launde (11-9) by 1l, 5 ran.
Be My Better Half (IRE) 7-2fav (10-13) Mid-division, mistake 8th, headway next, went 2nd 11th until ridden after next, weakened 3 out, 4th of 13, 16l behind Our Armageddon (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Dunbrody Millar (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Prominent, mistakes 12th, hit and weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Dun Doire (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 21 ran.
Wain Mountain 6-1 (11-12) In touch, headway 11th, hit next, every chance 3 out, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 14l behind King Bee (10-10) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Better Days (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 5th, rallied approaching last, stayed on well flat, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Our Armageddon (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Polar Red 100-1 (10-7) Behind when unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by G V A Ireland (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Mar, 18 ran.
Lou du Moulin Mas (FR) 10-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway 8th, hit 14th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 21, 23l behind You're Special (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Cregg House (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders on outer, improved into 3rd approaching halfway, lost place 4 out, beaten when fell at the 9th in race won by Solar System (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 3f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Hakim (NZ) 4-1 (11-12) Led, ridden 3 out, soon headed, one pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Windsor Boy (11-8) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
Dangerousdanmagru (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling 5th, soon tailed off pulled up in race won by Honan (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, steadily weakened from next, 7th of 17, 20l behind Yardbird (10-9) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
The Bandit (IRE) 22-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway and hit 10th, stayed on one pace from 4 out, 5th of 17, 17l behind Yardbird (10-9) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Mixsterthetrixster (USA) 100-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 11th, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 10th of 21, 17l behind Dun Doire (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Va Vavoom (IRE) 100-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway 11th, ridden after 16th, weakened after next, 12th of 21, 18l behind Dun Doire (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Terivic 5-1 (11-6) Led, headed after 3 out, led again briefly 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 5, 16l behind Waltzing Beau (10-3) at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs (3) hvy in Mar.
Pak Jack (FR) 9-4fav (11-10) Held up, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, one pace and no impression from next, 4th of 7, 14l behind Jericho III (10-12) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Flight Command 3-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Green Ideal (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Mar.
Kings Glen (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Always close up, led 3 out, ridden and headed after next, rallied to regain lead after last, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp chs gs in Feb beating Shivermetimber (10-3) by 1l, 17 ran.
Sir Storm (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) In touch, reminders after 4th, headway approaching 4 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 10, 22l behind Kalca Mome (10-12) at Haydock 2m hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Burwood Breeze (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders in 4th, chased leading pair 3 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 13l behind Inca Trail (12-2) at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) sft in Mar.
Lotomore Lad (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd 3 out, 2nd and challenged after next, every chance after last, no extra close home, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Sound Witness (10-10) at Naas 3m hcp chs 0-130 hvy in Mar.
Ground Ball (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, not fluent last, one pace flat, 6th of 23, 6l behind Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
