held up in touch, headway 10th, tracking leaders 3 out, led after last, pushed out
not fluent, towards rear, blundered 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
in touch, ridden 2 out, effort approaching last, no extra, run-in
towards rear, mistake 4th, behind when blundered 20th, soon pulled up
led to 3rd, led again 16th, headed approaching last, no extra, run-in
not fluent, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway to track leaders 17th, led approaching last, headed flat, kept on
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden 17th, outpaced 19th
prominent, mistake 14th, ridden 17th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 20th
towards rear, never dangerous
held up, headway to lead 3rd until 16th, close up until weakened after 3 out
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
tracked leaders, mistake 10th, effort 4 out, weakened 3 out
Theatre Night must be respected after a fair effort at Aintree, however Getinbybutonlyjust is a dour stayer and he gets the nod ahead of Delray Beach and Rayshan. The selection finished behind Delray Beach in the Northumberland National but has a 5lb pull in the weights today. Over such a long trip that could be enough to turn the tables, and with the ground to suit and the left-handed track ideal, a big run looks forthcoming. Delray Beach is an obvious danger but has shot up by 9lb in the weights for that win; she is a game little thing however and must not be ruled out. Stablemate Trisons Star needs respect, especially as Graham Lee jumps ship having ridden Delray Beach to victory last time. Petite Margot has solid claims with Nigel Twiston-Davies still in good form. Rayshan has a lot of weight for a first crack at this sort of trip but if he stays he's a major player, whilst Strong Resolve is a real battler and needs respect. Rule out the Ferdy Murphy third string Lucky Nellerie at your peril, however for the winner we will return to Getinbybutonlyjust.
Rambling Minster 40-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Millenium Royal (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Rayshan (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway after 5 out, ridden 3 out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov beating Ice Melted (11-6) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
King Killone (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) In touch, pushed along 7th, ridden 5 out, weakened next, 7th of 15, 30l behind Harmony Brig (10-12) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs.
Theatre Knight (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 22, 28l behind Lampion Du Bost (9-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Strong Resolve (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-12) Led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, rallied flat, led again last stride, won at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov beating No Picnic (10-4) by a shd, 7 ran.
Delray Beach (FR) 5-2fav (10-6) Mid-division, headway 11th, outpaced 18th, rallied approaching 3 out, stayed on to lead flat, kept on, won at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov beating Getinbybutonlyjust (10-11) by 4l, 13 ran.
Petite Margot 4-1 (11-7) In touch, hit 13th, outpaced 2 out, rallied approaching last, ridden to challenge flat, stayed on well to lead near finish, won at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov beating Ryminster (10-6) by a nk, 9 ran.
Getinbybutonlyjust 12-1 (10-11) Led, ridden 2 out, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Delray Beach (10-6) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Trisons Star (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) In touch, led 5th to last, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 15l behind Petite Margot (11-7) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Snowy (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 13, 14l behind Delray Beach (10-6) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Lucky Nellerie (FR) 2-1fav (10-2) Led, headed after 10th, soon lost place, 5th of 7, well behind Kerry Lads (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
High Moon (USA) 100-1 (10-0) Behind when hampered 1st, tailed off when carried wide 12th, never dangerous, 9th of 22, well behind Lampion Du Bost (9-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Russian Sky 15-8fav (9-13) Chased winner, mistake and lost place 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Scribano Eile (10-4) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
