chased leading pair, outpaced and reminder after 14th, weakened tamely before 4 out, tailed off
left in lead 1st and soon clear, reduced lead 4th, went badly left and headed 10th, pressed leader, led again 12th until 14th, lost 2nd 4 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd and no impression from 2 out
took keen hold, tracked leader, led 10th until 12th, chased leader, led again 14th until joined last, soon headed, stayed on under pressure flat
held up in rear, headway to 4th at 11th, went 2nd 4 out, ridden to challenge and led last, stayed on gamely under pressure flat
led until blundered and unseated rider 1st
chased leading trio, not fluent 2nd, dropped to rear 11th, mistake next, headway to 4th before 4 out, ridden and well held after next, beaten when mistake last
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Problema Tic is eased in grade after finishing fourth at Aintree and falling in the Scottish Grand National. He has ability and should be a factor here with a clear round but we're inclined to take a chance on the fitness of Paul Nicholls' MR HUDSON. He's had a year off but is unlikely to arrive here undercooked and there is still plenty to work with for the former champion trainer. Palace Jester is still unexposed over fences but has become a little disappointing while Mr Gardner, Qianshan Leader, Top Smart and Sarando have a bit to prove at present. Prophete de Guye wins in his turn but usually at a lower level than this.
Mr Hudson (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, pecked slightly when left 2nd and hampered 4 out, weakened 2 out, clambered over last, lost 2nd flat, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Duke Of Lucca (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gs in Apr '12.
Qianshan Leader (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, not fluent 5th, hit 9th, headway 17th, mistake and lost place next, pulled up after, in a race won by Top Dancer (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs, 15 ran.
Lamboro Lad (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Tracked winner, challenging and 1 length down when fell 2 out, in a race won by Wellforth (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Aug, 3 ran.
Top Smart 66-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway into mid-division when hit 15th, not fluent 20th, pushed along in 9th when fell 4 out, in a race won by Back In Focus (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m am nov chs (2) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Sarando 15-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, dropped to rear at 10th, tailed off when blundered 12th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Violin Davis (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gf, 9 ran.
Palace Jester 9-2 (10-5) Mistake 1st, chased leader until 8th, chased leaders until outpaced and lost place approaching 13th, rallied after 2 out, stayed on under pressure in 4th when badly hampered last, not recover, 4th of 9, 8l behind Violin Davis (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gf.
Problema Tic (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, fell 2nd, in a race won by Godsmejudge (11-3) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd, 24 ran.
Mr Gardner (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and losing place when fell 4 out, in a race won by Pigeon Island (10-8) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd, 13 ran.
Prophete de Guye (FR) 25-1 (10-13) Held up in rear on outside, headway approaching 9th, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 16l behind Lower Hope Dandy (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
