held up in rear, ridden and headway 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
close up, ridden and lost 13th, behind when pulled up, 4 out
in touch, ridden and lost place 13th, not a danger after
pressed leader until led 12th, clear 2 out, stayed on
close up, ridden to chase winner 6 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, soon ridden, behind 10th, pulled up 14th
close up, ridden to chase winner 3 out, kept on same pace and lost 2nd close home
towards rear when fell 14th
made most until 12th, weakened 2 out, pulled up last
towards rear, headway 5 out, kept on to go 4th run in
Acting Lass won at Chepstow before just coming up short in a Listed handicap at Ascot off a 5lb higher mark but stamina could be an issue over this longer trip. Flying Angel’s best form is probably over distances short of 3m but he was a solid fifth in last season’s Ultima at Cheltenham and his sound jumping should stand him in good stead around here. Prime Venture was fourth in the Welsh Grand National but is still seeking a first victory over fences while Definitly Red, despite a fourth in the Becher Chase at Aintree, is possibly not the force of old. VINTAGE CLOUDS, from last year’s winning yard, was pulled up at Aintree but has never taken to the National fences. He likes it here, however, and is back on a winning mark so might be the one to beat with Geronimo and Midnight Tune needing to prove themselves in this grade. There is no guarantee that Champers On Ice will translate good hurdles form back to fences.
Definitly Red (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway when hampered 15th (canal turn), stayed on same pace from last, 4th of 18, 14 1/2l behind Walk In The Mill (10-8) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Acting Lass (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, narrowly headed last, hard ridden and stayed on run-in, always held, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Regal Encore (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Flying Angel (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Prominent until 3rd, chased leaders, mistake 11th (foinavon), struggling 2 out, plugged on from last and went 4th after elbow, 4th of 14, 22l behind Hogan's Height (10-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Vintage Clouds (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Prominent, slow 14th, soon lost place, rallied after 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Lord Du Mesnil (10-8) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Red Indian 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, lost place next, soon weakened, 16th of 21, dist behind Aux Ptits Soins (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Champers On Ice (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Led, hit and headed narrowly 8th, ridden between last 2, kept on and every chance from last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Goodbye Dancer (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Geronimo 11-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, led before next, soon ridden, drew clear after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating River Frost (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Prime Venture (IRE) 11-1 (10-1) In touch, handy 5th 3 out, mistake 2 out, went 4th from last, stayed on, 4th of 17, 4 1/4l behind Potters Corner (10-11) at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Dec.
Midnight Tune 2-5fav (11-6) Made all, went right 2 out, shaken up and went clear last, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Exeter 2m 1f (3) hvy in Dec beating Dame du Soir (11-0) by 3 3/4l, 3 ran.
Claud And Goldie (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) In touch, ridden run-in, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Chidswell (11-4) by 2l, 7 ran.
