held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, led before last, pressed run-in, kept on well towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened before 8th, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, chased winner before last, switched right run-in, soon every chance, held towards finish
held up in rear, some headway 2 out, never dangerous
held up in touch, chased leaders before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, soon chased leaders, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden before last, soon weakened
held up mid-division, reminders before 8th, soon struggling, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, hit 7th, led before 2 out, headed before last, soon weakened
led, headed before 2 out, quickly weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along after 6th and in rear, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 2 out
ALAND ISLANDS was a well-backed favourite on his racecourse debut in an Exeter bumper in April and didn't let his supporters down. A comfortable winner, he looks a decent prospect over hurdles and it's significant that Richard Johnson has travelled up to partner Tim Vaughan's charge. French import Monarch's Way won on the Flat and was far from disgraced when third on his hurdling bow at Carlisle. He looks the main threat though winning pointer Gorey Lane defied generous odds to finish second in a Carlisle bumper last month and Ebony River showed promise in a couple of starts around this time last year, though hasn't raced since.
Aland Islands (IRE) 10-11fav (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, switched outside and headway 5f out, led over 3f out, driven and stayed on well to go clear final furlong, won at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating Russie With Love (10-2) by 5l, 11 ran.
An Capall Mor (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 40l behind Crowning Jewel (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Oct.
Ceasar's Return 25-1 (11-11) In rear, soon detached, refused 1st, in a race won by Round The Horn (10-8) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Cool Doctor (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, lost place over 7f out, soon in rear and tailed off, last of 11, well behind Crowning Jewel (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Oct.
Ebony River (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden to chase winner after 2 out until towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Pure Faith (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov '10.
Gleann Na Ndochais (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, hampered 2nd, headway after 3 out, weakened last, 5th of 16, 21l behind Stronghaven (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Gorey Lane (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Cross Of Honour (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Knockando 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, challenged and every chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by Armedanddangerous (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 12 ran.
Monarch's Way 4-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Houston Dynimo (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Oh Right (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off from 4 out, 9th of 14, well behind Simply Ned (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Over And Above (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened before 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Priceless Art (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Pinerolo 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, lost place and weakening when mistake 3 out, 6th of 10, 16l behind Gallox Bridge (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gf in Oct.
Woodys Brother (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Prom to 9; pu 14, in a race won by Dougall (12-0) at Hexham Points 3m ptp gd in May '10, 12 ran.
Grey Locker 100-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, not always fluent, lost touch from 6th, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Sounds Of Thunder (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in May.
