towards rear, headway 4 out, one pace and no impression in 6th from next
in touch, weakened before 3 out
towards rear, headway halfway on outer, kept on same pace in 5th from 2 out
with winner, every chance 2 out, kept on and no impression before last
held up mid-division, mistake 9th, weakened before 5 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in rear, effort from 4 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, hampered 1st, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, in touch when fell 5 out
left in lead 1st, made rest, pressed from 5 out, drew clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly
held up mid-division, pushed along before 6 out, brought down next
led, fell 1st
chased leaders, blundered 3rd, kept on same pace
NonRunner
Royale Knight won this in 2013 but has won only twice subsequently. Cultram Abbey has yet to complete over this far and was narrowly beaten by Carrigdhoun over 3m2f at Carlisle in October. The latter is upped a further 6lb for this while Grove Silver has an 8lb hike to contend with having won over 2m6f at Uttoxeter. Millicent Silver ended last season with a double but is upped in class while Scotswell was runner-up in this in 2014 and won off a 7lb lower mark here back in May. Kilbree Chief is not badly treated but BUACHAILL ALAINN won the Durham National on good ground at Sedgefield over 3m5f in October and Peter Bowen’s charge should make another bold bid in this.
Royale Knight 9-2 (11-12) Held up, towards rear, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 34 1/2l behind Buachaill Alainn (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Emperor's Choice (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, struggling before 15th, tailed off 18th, pulled up, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Cultram Abbey 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division, pushed along after 5 out, ridden and headway before 2 out, stayed on well under pressure flat, pressed winner towards finish, just held, 2nd of 12, hd behind Carrigdhoun (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Carrigdhoun (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Disputed lead to 8th, remained in touch, led narrowly 4 out, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure flat, just held on, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Cultram Abbey (11-8) by hd, 12 ran.
Mia's Anthem (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, never a factor, 6th halfway, pushed along in rear after 2 out and no impression in 7th before last, no extra, 7th of 8, 20 1/4l behind Tiger Sam (9-10) at Down Royal 3m hcp gd in Nov.
Smooth Stepper 4-1fav (10-6) Chased leaders, blundered 2nd, lost place next, mistake 12th, soon behind, 9th of 13, dist behind Valadom (10-12) at Bangor 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Kilbree Chief (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, struggling before 11th, soon behind, no danger after, 8th of 12, 31 3/4l behind Carrigdhoun (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Grove Silver (IRE) 7-4 (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 10th, headed next, ridden 12th, led before 2 out, clear flat, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Mumgos Debut (11-2) by 13l, 4 ran.
Harry The Viking 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 11th, headed 3 out, regained lead before last, headed last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Ballyben (11-1) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Millicent Silver 3-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led 5th until 7th, chased leader, led again 12th until 14th, pushed along and 4 lengths to find before 2 out, rallied gamely run-in to lead final strides, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Apr beating Sun Wild Life (11-7) by nk, 5 ran.
Scotswell 14-1 (10-10) Led to 2 out, ridden before last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 8, 6l behind One For Arthur (11-4) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Itstimeforapint (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, not fluent and lost place 5th, hampered 11th, modest 7th 14th, weakened before next, 5th of 9, dist behind Cobajayisland (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Buachaill Alainn (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Mid-division, struggling and lost place 4 out, plugged on from next, never reached leaders, 5th of 15, 18 3/4l behind Aerial (11-2) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
