held up towards rear, some headway, no impression when hampered 2 out, never dangerous
prominent, hit 12th, disputing close 2nd when blundered 4 out, not recover, soon pulled up, lame
mid-division, hit 7th, headway 12th, challenged approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat to lead last stride, headed post
mid-division, mistake 5th, not fluent 15th, never on terms
in rear, hampered 1st, hit 6th, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in rear, not fluent 2nd, struggling 8th, pulled up after 9th
always in touch, blundered 14th, ridden and one pace from 2 out, no impression on leading trio approaching last
mid-division, mistake 15th, headway approaching 3 out, no real progress from 2 out
chased leaders, blundered 4 out, soon ridden, beaten when hampered 2 out, weakened after
in rear, reminders 2nd, hit 3rd, driven along after 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, hit 9th, not fluent 10th, struggling from 11th, soon behind
led to 2nd, hit 3rd, remained prominent, ridden when mistake 13th, weakened after 15th
towards rear on outside, mistake 12th, behind after
chased leaders, reminders after 11th, one pace approaching 2 out, soon no impression on leaders
led 2nd, ridden and headed when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
chased leaders, led 3 out, narrow lead fell 2 out
mid-division, mistake 1st, headway and not fluent 10th, challenging when left in lead 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure flat, headed last stride
mid-division, mistakes 5th, 7th and 8th, behind from 12th
held up, blundered 13th, hampered 15th, effort, not on terms 2 out, never dangerous
not always fluent, held up, mistake 1st, some headway, not on terms when hampered 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division, not fluent 7th, blundered 12th, in rear when mistake 15th, behind when hampered 2 out
mid-division, hit 6th, headway after 15th, in touch, not on terms with leaders when hampered 2 out, no chance after
held up, headway on inside approaching 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, driven and still 4 lengths down last, strong run final 100 yards to lead post
There are many in with a shout in this most wide-open of renewals, and the pin comes down on Juveigneur ahead of the likes of Little Brick, Mon Mome, Heltornic and Rambling Minster to name but a few. Another terrific spectacle is in the offing here, and the outcome may throw up a few clues to some future big long-distance events, with Little Brick to be aimed at Aintree and Heltornic earmarked for the Scottish National. However, the vibes emanating from Seven Barrows suggest that Juveigneur is the one to be on today. Successful in the 2005 Kim Muir, Nicky Henderson's charge beat all bar Dun Doire in this event last year, and on his only other appearance at Cheltenham last November, he was third over hurdles in what was his prep race for the Hennessey. An honourable second to State Of Play at the Berkshire track, he then had the stamina to finish third in the Welsh National. He is weighted to turn the tables on the runner-up Mon Mome and has been sharpened up by what amounted to little more than an exercise canter over timber at Plumpton. He has to give weight to quite a few dangerous rivals here but can prove up to the task. He actually gets 3lb off Little Brick whose reputation preceded him before his defeat of My Will at Wincanton, and who is being readied for a tilt at the John Smith's Grand National. Heltornic is bound for the Scottish version in April but should not be discounted today, as Michael Scudamore's mare will gallop all day if the need be. She lines up in tip-top form after runaway wins at Wetherby and Haydock, but now has to race off a much higher mark. Nevertheless, connections expect her to run a big race, and there will be worse each-way shots. Gallant Approach, Irish Raptor and New Alco are all worth a mention, although the latter needs to prove that he stays today's trip, and a bigger northern threat may emerge in the shape of Rambling Minster who came from behind to score at Sandown last time. All can play their part, but we shall side with Juveigneur who has not been out of the first three in three visits to Prestbury Park.
Lacdoudal (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Soon close up, reminders 10th, headway after 4 out, chased leaders next, went 2nd last, no chance with winner and lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Simon (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Little Brick (FR) 10-11fav (10-7) Chased leader, led 13th, ridden approaching 3 out, ran on well from 2 out, pushed out from last, won at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Feb beating My Will (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Juveigneur (FR) 1-20fav (11-3) Led 2nd, made rest, in command 3 out, canter, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Victree (11-3) by 14l, 3 ran.
Cornish Rebel (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 16th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 16, 26l behind Heltornic (10-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb.
Sir Rembrandt (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Mid-division, reminders and lost place from 12th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Heltornic (10-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb, 16 ran.
Commercial Flyer (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, struggling 4 out, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Mon Mome (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 16th, chased winner last, no extra flat, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Heltornic (10-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb.
New Alco (FR) 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, mistake 2 out, chased winner on long run after last, closed and gaining at finish, just held, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Whispered Secret (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Gallant Approach (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching 2 out, chased winner from last until held towards finish, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Kandjar D'allier (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
D'Argent (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) In touch, mistake 11th, ridden 16th, weakened 3 out, in 5th when pulled up at the last in race won by Ladalko (11-1) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
Lord Sam (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 8th of 16, 10l behind Taranis (10-3) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Innox (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Prominent, tracked leader 3rd, mistake 8th, ridden and weakened next, 9th of 10, well behind Whispered Secret (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Ballycassidy (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) Soon well behind, struggling when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Kauto Star (11-10) at Kempton 3m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Heez A Dreamer (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 4 out, drew clear from 2 out, ran on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb beating Professor Jack (11-2) by 13l, 5 ran.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led 7th, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb beating Mokum (10-2) by 13l, 7 ran.
Heltornic (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, led approaching 16th, hit 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb beating L'aventure (10-1) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Distant Thunder (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up, headway approaching 13th, chased winner 3 out, every chance last, not quicken run-in, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Bob Bob Bobbin (11-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
St Matthew (USA) 17-2 (11-4) Prominent until reminders and lost place 8th, last of 6, 42l behind Labelthou (11-1) at Haydock 2m 7f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
All In The Stars (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Always behind, ridden from 8th, took close order after 17th, never on terms, 4th of 11, 34l behind Maletton (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Rambling Minster 15-2 (10-5) Towards rear, smooth headway from 15th, led approaching last, headed flat, rallied gamely to lead near finish, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Feb beating Kelami (11-3) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
King Harald (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led, mistake 4th, headed 6th, tracked leader until slowly jumped 10th, remained close up, weakened 3 out, 5th of 6, 31l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Newbury 3m chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Ross Comm 7-1 (10-7) Prominent, led 6th to 13th, weakened after 14th, 8th of 10, 25l behind Leading Man (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Joes Edge (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, hampered 13th, never dangerous, 8th of 21, 35l behind Eurotrek (11-7) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov.
Iron Man (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Held up in rear division, ridden and struggling 14th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Simon (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb.
