tracked leaders throughout, ridden to lead after 4 out, edged left flat, held on
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, mistake 1st, saddle slipped approaching 4 out, headway to chase winner next, every chance last, unlucky
led and mistake 1st, headed 2nd, led again 4th, pulled up after 8th, dismounted
held up, jumped left 6th, kept on one pace
mid-division, mistake 4th, lost touch when pulled up before 8th
held up, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on
keen and soon prominent, hit 5th, ridden and weakened 4 out
always in rear, lost touch 7th, pulled up before next
pulled hard and led 2nd, headed 4th, mistake 6th, left in lead 4 out, headed soon after and weakened
Shannon Springs can outstay his rivals here, including My Immortal, The Big Canadian and Song Of Vala. Shannon Springs has been hard to place over hurdles in the past, always seeming to find one or two too good, but despite past reservations over his stamina, Andy Turnell's charge came good over the course-and-distance in February. Not disgraced over two furlongs shorter at Wincanton 17-days ago, he should relish the return to the scene of his triumph, with his pilot able to take no less than 10lb off his back. My Immortal is out to get the losses back after leaving the money in the bookies' satchels at Uttoxeter where he patently did not see out the trip, so it is strange to see him stepped up even further. The faster ground may help his cause in that respect, but he is hard to fancy strongly. The Big Canadian is being brought along steadily by Alan King and we will see the best of him when he goes over fences, but he was thought good enough to be sent off favourite at Huntingdon last time. Tailed off then, we cannot recommend him either. Evan Williams won this event 12 months ago with Piran, and is now represented by Song Of Vala. He has been waiting for the fast ground, and may well be in the shake-up. However, Shannon Springs has the proven recent form, and should take the beating.
My Immortal 11-2co-fav (10-11) Led, ridden 8th, headed after 4 out and weakened, 11th of 15, well behind Michael Muck (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Optimum (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, hit 9th, some progress when mistake 3 out, never near leaders, 6th of 15, 25l behind Herne Bay (11-2) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Shannon Springs (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Mid-division, making headway when badly hampered 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 12l behind Nougat de L'Isle (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Song of Vala 33-1 (11-9) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Flaming Weapon (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Red Square Express 18-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 3 out, one pace when hampered 2 out, 6th of 18, 28l behind Valiant Shadow (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Rhymney Bitter Boy 100-1 (11-0) Not jump well, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Spirit of New York (11-0) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
The Big Canadian (IRE) 11-8fav (11-11) Held up, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 9th of 12, well behind Basic Fact (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Turner 200-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led briefly 4th, weakened 3 out, 14th of 17, well behind Tritonix (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Simplyirresistible (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Led, headed 2nd, weakened 3 out, soon behind, 7th of 8, well behind Heavenly Pleasure (10-7) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Lockstone Lad (USA) 100-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear when blundered badly and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Artadi (10-11) at Taunton 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
