made all, not fluent 3 out, driven clear before last, stayed on well, comfortably
tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
mid-division, lost place before 5th, soon behind, tailed off
held up mid-division, in touch, headway 3 out, challenged next, every chance between last 2, outpaced before last, soon beaten
held up in rear, outpaced before 2 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, outpaced before last, lost modest 3rd flat
reminder after 1st, in touch on outside, lost place after next, behind from 4th, tailed off 3 out
towards rear, headway into mid-division when hit 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never reached leaders
tracked winner, every chance when blundered and lost place 2 out, outpaced in 4th between last 2, stayed on to take modest 3rd flat
Confirmed front-runner Alderbrook Lad, a winning and consistent chaser, was untroubled to score at Wetherby last time when returned to the smaller obstacles. Connections understandably go to the well again with regular partner Joe Colliver sure to set out and make all and look to run the finish out of EL MASSIVO. But the Ellison inmate was only reeled in late on in a competitive Aintree contest nine days ago with some promising sorts behind. He's progressing well and earns narrow preference over the penalised topweight. The remainder have shown little or nothing and appear outclassed.
Alderbrook Lad (IRE) 5-4fav (10-7) Made all, jumped right at times, clear last, easily, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May beating Allbarnone (10-12) by 9l, 8 ran.
Cloggy Powell (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Led to 2; lft in ld bend app 6; hdd nxt; wknd qckly 11; wl bhnd when pu 14, in a race won by Sposalizio (12-0) at Zetland 3m ptp gd in May, 11 ran.
Dicky Shore 50-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, struggling 7f out, weakened 5f out, tailed off, 6th of 10, 39l behind Daring Exit (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in May.
Indalo Return (IRE) 80-1 (10-6) Mid-division, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and outpaced between last 2, never on terms, 7th of 13, 18l behind Vyta Du Roc (11-5) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd.
Poppies Milan (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Held up, always behind, tailed off 2 out, 11th of 13, well behind Vyta Du Roc (11-5) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd.
Red Mystique (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, challenged after 3 out, every chance next, lost place between last 2, weakened last, 8th of 13, 18l behind Vyta Du Roc (11-5) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd.
Sir Posealot 80-1 (10-7) In rear, tailed off 4th, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Mister Spingsprong (10-12) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in May, 10 ran.
Spread Boy (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Behind, some headway into mid-division after 2 out, never near leaders, weakened flat, 9th of 13, 30l behind Vyta Du Roc (11-5) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd.
El Massivo (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Prominent, led 2 out, ridden and headed flat, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Sweet Deal (10-11) at Aintree 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd.
