mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
led, clear 2nd, not fluent 9th, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened flat
held up in rear, jumped left 1st, jumped left and mistake 3rd, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway approaching 10th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
in rear, bumped 1st, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, mistake 2nd, blundered 8th (water), soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leader to 3rd, remained prominent, lost place after 8th, mistake 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled off before 3 out
prominent, weakened 8th, mistakes 4 out and 3 out, tailed off
jumped left 1st, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, not fluent 10th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, ridden and behind from 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
held up in touch, went 2nd 3rd, blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 4 out, led after 2 out, stayed on well flat, edged left towards finsih, ridden out
in touch, hit 3rd, behind from 6th, tailed up when pulled up before 3 out
slightly hampered 1st, mistake 4th, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Viscount Bankes has failed to complete the last twice but is usually a pretty reliable sort and may be able to bounce back. Danbury, De Luain Gorm and Light Des Mulottes are others that could take a hand. The selection was always likely to struggle at Aintree but of more concern is his poor performance at Ludlow on his penultimate start. It may pay to forgive that poor performance though as he can usually be relied upon to run his race and has made the frame three times in seven visits here. De Luain Gorm won well last time but did enjoy the run of the race and may be worth taking on but he should have a say in the outcome as should Light Des Mulottes who won't lack for assistance from the saddle. Danbury has been in good form between the flags and should go well if transferring his form into this sphere. An eye should also be kept on the market but we'll be hoping that Viscount Bankes can resume winning ways.
Viscount Bankes 20-1 (11-0) Went prom 6-12; wl bhnd when pulled up in race won by Limerick Leader (11-0) at Clifton-On-dunsm 3m ptp gd in Apr, 8 ran.
De Luain Gorm (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Made all, clear 4th, not fluent 3 out, ridden out, won at N Abbot 2m 5f nov hts chs (6) gd in Apr beating Jalons Star (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cnocan Aoibhinn (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) (ts) led to 9; fdd 11; pulled up in race won by Sams Lad (12-0) at Cilwendeg 3m ptp gd in Apr, 6 ran.
Danbury (FR) 4-6fav (12-0) Led 5-11 & 12-3 out; one pce, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Complete Outsider (12-7) at Ystradowen 3m ptp gs in Apr.
Fifth Column (USA) 40-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Massimo (11-11) at Towcester 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd in Apr, 10 ran.
Ice Rain (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Mid-division, struggling 11th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 10, 27l behind Seymar Lad (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Iochtaran (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Held up; hdwy 11; hrd rdn 3 out; one pce, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Gaining Ground (12-0) at Bitterley 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Kadito 100-1 (11-11) Led until 6th, gradually weakened from 13th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Take The Stand (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd in Apr, 15 ran.
Left To Himself 33-1 (12-0) (tt) led 8 til hdd last; no ex flat, 2nd of 10, 3l behind East Lawyer (12-0) at Barbury 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Light Des Mulottes (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Led, ridden after 10th, headed 4 out, kept on to lead briefly approaching last, hit last, weakened flat, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Feeling Better (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hts chs (5) gs in Mar.
Photographer (USA) 25-1 (11-9) Held up, behind from 14th, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Wild Is The Wind (12-0) at Bangor 3m hts chs (5) gs in Apr.
Red Man (IRE) 1-2fav (12-7) (cp) chsd ldrs to 11; t.o & pulled up in race won by Adventurist (12-7) at Ystradowen 3m ptp sft in Mar, 6 ran.
Scarlet Fantasy 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders until 6th, in touch, went right 9th, headway next, ridden in close 3rd 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before next pulled up 2 out in race won by Sesame Rambler (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Wainhill Lad 33-1 (12-0) Prom til unseated rider in race won by Yeabut (12-0) at Maisemore Park 3m ptp sft in Apr, 15 ran.
