mid-division, outpaced 16th
prominent, outpaced 18th, weakened from 4 out
chased winner from 5th until 17th, regained 2nd approaching last, no impression
chased leaders, weakened 12th, pulled up 17th
held up, blundered badly 2nd, pulled up after 4th
held up, prominent 11th, chased winner from 17th until last, one pace
behind, reminders halfway, tailed off and pulled up 17th
mid-division, headway 16th, weakened 4 out
always behind, tailed off 12th, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, unseated rider 9th
led from 2nd, made rest, rider dropped whip between last 2, driven out
chased leaders, weakened 16th, pulled up next
always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
led to 2nd, lost place 7th, soon tailed off
in touch, outpaced 4 out
Nonrunner
Plenty to consider in the day's showpiece but we're siding with Bellaney Jewel ahead of Clemax and King Killone. Bang And Blame and Classic Capers finished first and second in last year's renewal, the selection unseated at halfway, and both enter calculations despite having failed to complete last time. Bellaney Jewel is made for this sort of test as she showed when battling on gamely to win the Scottish Borders National in March. A 6lb rise for that win isn't overduly harsh for this consistent mare and leaves her with real possibilities. The lack of a run tempers confidence but she has plenty in her favour. King Killone should give another good account but some of his rivals are probably better handicapped. They could include Clemax who has been raised 10lbs for winning here in December but has the look of a progressive performer. Canada Street and Young Smokey are relatively unexposed, Moustique De L'Isle has the ability if consenting to show it whilst Bannister Lane and Matmata De Tendron are suited by this sort of test but Bellaney Jewel may be able to outstay all of them.
King Killone (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden 2 out, effort approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Rambling Minster (11-7) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Canada Street (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, led 12th, left clear last, ridden out, won at Wetherby 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec beating Orki Des Aigles (10-11) by 4l, 7 ran.
Bannister Lane 4-1 (11-12) Led to 17th, ridden and disputing second 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Keenan's Future (11-9) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Classic Capers 8-1 (11-9) Close up, mistake 17th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Delray Beach (10-6) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Clemax (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Led, headed after 4 out, driven and stayed on to lead again 2 out, drew clear approaching last, eased near finish, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec beating Notaproblem (10-2) by 13l, 10 ran.
Sharp Jack (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, headway to chase leaders 14th, lead 17th, caught post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Keenan's Future (11-9) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Laertes 40-1 (11-1) Chased leader until weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 17th of 20, well behind Eden Linty (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Bellaney Jewel (IRE) 4-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, led 15th, headed 3 out, ridden to lead again after last, stayed on strongly, won at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Mar beating Keepatem (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Jungle Jinks (IRE) 18-1 (10-10) With leader, led 6th, not fluent 7th, headed 8th, weakened 14th, jumped badly right 3 out and pulled up 5 out in race won by Special Conquest (10-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Matmata de Tendron (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, driven clear approaching last, stayed on well flat, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy beating Carryduff (11-0) by 12l, 12 ran.
Lucky Nellerie (FR) 15-2 (9-9) Held up, headway to lead 3rd until 16th, close up until weakened after 3 out, 7th of 13, well behind Rambling Minster (11-7) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Bang And Blame (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Led, headed 5 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Matmata de Tendron (11-3) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy, 12 ran.
High Cotton (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, prominent 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Special Conquest (10-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Young Smokey (IRE) 4-1co-fav (10-3) Towards rear, blundered 2nd, reminders halfway, headway 14th, hit 4 out, led approaching next, clear from last, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec beating Blazing Hills (10-5) by 9l, 6 ran.
Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 7-2 (10-6) With leader, not fluent 2nd, ridden approaching 16th, outpaced approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 8l behind Keenan's Future (11-9) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Korelo (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear, tailed off 6th and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Geeveem (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
