towards rear, headway before 4 out, weakened next
made all, clear before last, kept on strongly
in rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner before 3 out until next, weakened before last
mid-division, lost place halfway, pulled up
towards rear, headway 4 out to chase leaders, chased winner from 2 out, kept on and no impression
tracked leaders, one pace in 3rd from after 2 out
tracked leaders, reminders 17th, soon lost place, pulled up
towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 11th
Sun Cloud won this back in 2014 and is only a pound higher. He enjoyed a revival over hurdles last year, winning three times, but it’s almost three years since he last scored over fences. Billy Bronco gives the impression he’ll relish this big step up in distance on only his third start over fences. Gonalston Cloud and Itstimeforapint were second and third in this last year, ahead of Alto Des Mottes. Lucinda Russell’s charge comes out best at the weights of that trio today but Sue Smith’s is striving to win a third North Yorkshire National in a row and saddles I JUST KNOW. In good form around this time last year, he had no chance in a Listed race last time over a trip too short but had made an excellent reappearance at Carlisle and looks to have been laid out for this. Point The Way should stay and is slipping down the weights so can’t be ignored.
Gonalston Cloud (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led to after 1st, tracked leaders, reminder after 8th, lost place 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 8th of 10, 32l behind Knight In Dubai (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
I Just Know (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Led, hit 9th, headed next, lost place 5 out, soon no chance with clear pair, lost remote 3rd flat, last of 4, 35 1/4l behind Waiting Patiently (11-8) at Carlisle 2m 4f (1) gs in Nov.
Milborough (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Towards rear, mistake 10th, tailed off 16th, pulled up before 4 out, at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Sun Cloud (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Made all, kept on well from last, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Beneficial Joe (11-9) by 1l, 7 ran.
Alto Des Mottes (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, pushed along 7th, soon beaten, behind when pulled up 3 out, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Billy Bronco 7-2 (10-12) In touch, ridden before 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 6, 13l behind Millanisi Boy (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Point The Way (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Behind, effort 3 out, soon no impression, 5th of 7, 22 1/2l behind Very First Time (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Itstimeforapint (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, in touch after 2nd, hit 15th and soon outpaced, 6th of 10, 19 3/4l behind Courtown Oscar (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Golden Investment (IRE) 10-3 (12-0) Held up, steady headway approaching 12th, pushed along in 4th after 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Attention Please (10-3) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
