tracked leaders, pushed along after 4th and reminders after 7th, 3rd halfway, dropped to rear 12th and slightly hampered next, soon no extra, behind and pulled up before 3 out
in rear, progress into 4th before 13th, pushed along in 3rd after 3 out, no impression from next, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, 5th when fell 13th
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, dropped towards rear 12th, slight mistake and left 5th next, mistake 3 out and no impression when mistake next, went 4th before last, kept on one pace
disputed lead and led from 3rd, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace
led and disputed lead, headed 3rd, pushed along after 11th, ridden and no impression in 4th after 3 out, no extra
held up, 5th halfway, progress before 11th and went 2nd 13th, travelled well to lead before 2 out, drew clear approaching last, stayed on well, easily
Another high-class renewal which Paul Nicholls has won four times in the last 10 years. Silviniaco Conti has been operating at the highest level for a very long time, gaining his latest victory in the Ascot Chase, and though pulled up in the Grand National later he had a huge weight to carry. DON POLI is another who only runs in the best chases and his overall form, especially when third in the Gold Cup, compares favourably. He'll enjoy the conditions and, as he's still only a seven-year-old, has the scope to do even better so gets the nod to make a successful reappearance. Valseur Lido's second to Vautour in the Ryanair at Cheltenham was a brilliant effort and his stable have been in excellent form in recent weeks while The Last Samuri certainly deserves his elevation into this company after his superb run in the Grand National. Galway Plate winner Lord Scoundrel is another stepping up to this exalted level though he was beaten by Sadler's Risk in a Punchestown Grade 3 last month and that form doesn't look quite good enough. Monksland had some smart form in novice events last season but this is very much tougher.
Don Poli (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders early, 4th and pushed along briefly at 7th, closer again at 9th, challenged 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, left challenging 2 out, no extra before last where 4th, kept on same pace run-in to 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Carlingford Lough (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Lord Scoundrel (IRE) 11-8fav (11-6) Led, headed 3 out and soon pushed along, ridden after next, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 5 1/2l behind Sadler's Risk (11-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) gd in Oct.
Monksland (IRE) 6-5 (11-12) Ran 3rd, slight mistake 5th, slight mistakes 4 out and next, went 2nd after last, ridden to challenge 1f out, kept on under pressure to lead close home, won at Galway 2m 7f gd in Oct beating Marinero (11-8) by hd, 4 ran.
Sadler's Risk (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead 3 out, 1 length advantage last, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) gd in Oct beating Lord Scoundrel (11-6) by 5 1/2l, 6 ran.
Silviniaco Conti (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, lost place 12th, behind when pulled up before 14th, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
The Last Samuri (IRE) 8-1jfav (10-8) Always prominent, disputed lead from 18th, led 26th, hard pressed 2 out, ridden approaching elbow, stayed on until headed and no extra inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 39, 6l behind Rule The World (10-7) at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Valseur Lido (FR) 4-5fav (11-5) Not always fluent, jumped slowly 1st, chased leading trio, went 3rd 15th, 2nd before 3 out, upsides and every chance when hit last, kept on run-in but always held, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Menorah (11-10) at Sandown 2m 7f (1) gd in Apr.
