tracked leaders, chased leader from 14th, ridden after 16th, lost 2nd after 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden after 15th, weakened after next
in touch, jumped slowly 10th, struggling and dropped rear 13th, never back on terms
tracked leader, led 13th, ridden when went left 2 out, headed when pecked last, no extra
held up, headway and not fluent 15th, hard ridden after next, strong run from 2 out, led last, ridden out
mid-division, hit 8th, headway 14th, ridden approaching 16th, kept on same pace from 3 out
never fluent or travelling, in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 13th
hit 1st, hampered 2nd, always towards rear
held up, fell heavily 7th
led until 13th, chased leaders until weakened 16th
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
fell 2nd
Nonrunner
There are sound reasons to take on most of the runners in this field but Air Force One, GUNGADU and Roll Along will be fancied to be to the fore. Air Force One came close to beating Albertas Run in the Reynoldstown over course and distance in February but a mark of 150 doesn't leave the six year old any room for error and there are concerns that the ground may be faster than ideal. Roll Along was a nervy type in his younger days and he has been brought along very patiently by his handler; that approach has paid dividends so far but this is a big season for him as he attempts to cement his position in the top races. David Pipe failed to saddle a winner in October, perhaps November will treat him more kindly but it's difficult to put any of his horses forwards given that run. Fundamentalist is high enough in the weights whilst it's doubtful whether those from Fier Normand down have the requisite class which only leaves us with Gungadu. He's won five of his nine starts over fences but couldn't be argued to be well handicapped following his win in the Racing Post Trophy. However, he runs well enough fresh, has form over course and distance and hails from a yard going well so, with ticks in a number of the right boxes, Gungadu is the call.
Gungadu 10-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, blundered 14th, weakened next, last of 5, well behind Our Vic (11-10) at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Apr.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 9th before 4 out, dropped to 11th after next, soon weakened, 18th of 22, well behind Oslot (10-13) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gs in Jul.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 66-1 (11-9) In touch when fell at the 8th in race won by Comply Or Die (10-9) at Aintree 4m 4f Grand National (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Air Force One (GER) 2-1 (11-10) Made all, drew clear from 3 out, stayed on well from 2 out, eased close home, easily, won at Punchestown 3m 1f nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Pomme Tiepy (10-10) by 13l, 5 ran.
Roll Along (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leader, hit 4th, hit 14th, ridden and lost place next, weakening when hit 2 out, 5th of 8, 12l behind Big Buck's (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Mid-division, hit 8th, led 13th, clear from 4 out, won at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Oct beating Aleron (10-9) by 6l, 8 ran.
Harris Bay 14-1 (11-12) In touch until lost place 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 15, 36l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Abragante (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 14, 16l behind Stan (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Fier Normand (FR) 9-1 (11-3) Mid-division, hit 1st, headway approaching 3 out, never reached leaders, weakened before last, 7th of 17, 27l behind Ouzbeck (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Charlies Future 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 3rd, clear with one other when bumped 10th, came clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct beating Mcevoy (11-7) by 11l, 8 ran.
Out The Black (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5 out, chased winner approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, beaten approaching last, 2nd of 16, 13l behind Surface To Air (11-5) at Uttoxeter 4m lst hcp chs (1) gd in Jun.
On The Other Hand (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, closer in 4th approaching 5 out, ridden to go 2nd and challenged when slight mistake 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, won at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp chs 0-123 gs in Sept beating Mutineer (10-8) by 1l, 14 ran.
Aztec Warrior (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Prominent, effort 9th, weakened 10th, 6th of 8, well behind Bible Lord (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
