soon steadied into mid-division, headway when not fluent 3 out, led last, stayed on well towards finish
held up in rear, pushed along approaching 8th, not fluent and reminder 9th, headway approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, soon hung left, stayed on flat to take 2nd close home, not troubled winner
pressed leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching last, eased flat, tailed off
held up in rear, headway on inside when not fluent 8th, soon lost place, reminder after next, weakened approaching 3 out, eased flat, tailed off
led to 3rd, chased leader to 10th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 10th, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra towards finish
in touch on outer, went 2nd 10th, soon ridden, every chance 3 out, weakened after 2 out, mistake last, eased, tailed off
always prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance last, stayed on same pace flat
took keen hold, held up in touch, pushed along after 10th, pressing leaders from 3 out, weakened towards finish
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Although Always Waining may be a handicap blot here we are prepared to take him on with the progressive Charlie Crab, while Apollo Creed looks short list material. Charlie Crab has been brought along patiently by Tom Tate and he battled on well to get up and win at Catterick when last seen out in January. As a debut bumper winner, the six month break should hold no fears, he stays very well, acts on both soft and faster ground, and looks worth siding with here. Always Waining is rated 140 over fences but is fully 20lb lower here. However, closer inspection of his hurdling form suggests that this is about as good as he is in this sphere, and with his yard not having had a winner for a while we will oppose. Apollo Creed is suited by a sound surface and is up 6lb for outpointing his rivals at Southwell last month. This further step up in trip looks likely to see him improve, but he will need to if he is to win again. Chickapeakray has ability but prefers cut in the ground to be at her best, and Market Rasen winner Tickateal, who relishes these conditions, may prove a better bet. Polly Whitefoot is a consistent plodder who may be up to making the frame, but for the winner we are happy to side with Charlie Crab.
Always Waining (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Prominent, pecked 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 14, 29l behind Caribou (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Mar.
Charlie Crab 7-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, challenged when hit 2 out, led flat, driven out, won at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Leac An Scail (10-13) by 2l, 13 ran.
Chickapeakray 7-1 (9-10) Always in touch, hung left after 4 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 11, 6l behind Gypsy George (10-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gs in May.
Sarin 10-1 (10-5) Mid-division, reminders after 10th, ridden after 12th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 12, 30l behind Nation State (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (3) gd in Apr.
In Dream's (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) With leader, outpaced after 4 out, ridden and hit 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 22l behind Don't Ask Me (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Apollo Creed (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) In touch, ridden 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May beating Castlemainevillage (10-10) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Celtic Heather (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 5th, soon pushed along, behind from 6th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Romping Home (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in May, 18 ran.
Tickateal 10-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, challenged when hit last, led flat, kept on, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May beating Alphabetical (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Polly Whitefoot 11-2 (10-3) In touch, outpaced 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Carrick Dhu (10-13) at Perth 3m hdl (4) gf in May.
Tension Point 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 7l behind Nanga Parbat (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Barneys Lyric 18-1 (9-12) Always behind, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Fresh Winter (11-1) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Mar.
Sarde (FR) 20-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, one pace, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Wogan (11-4) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
