mid-division, mistakes 1st and 4th, weakened 4 out
mid-divisin on outside, headway when slow 13th, chased leaders 16th, left in 2nd 5 out, weakened 3 out
mid-division, outpaced before 5 out, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, stayed on approaching last, never a threat
held up towards rear, never dangerous
behind, headway when hampered 5 out, rallied 3 out, never on terms
led, jumped right throughout, challenged from 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
chased leaders, lost place before 5 out, stayed on from 2 out, never on terms
tracked leader, blundered and unseated rider 5 out
in touch, mistakes throughout, lost place 8th, behind when pulled up 4 out
in touch, hard driven 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, never able to challenge
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon every chance, led after 2 out, drew clear last, very easily
held up in touch, took closer order 8th, mistake 14th, driven 4 out, soon weakened
NonRunner
Alvarado is being prepared for another tilt at next month's Grand National. Relax was beaten a less than a length in this last year and races off the same mark, though hasn't sparkled since. Stablemate Aachen may be back in the handicapper's grip but recent Sandown runner-up Pete The Feat has to go on the short-list as he gave weight and a beating to Relax in the Mandarin here a few years ago and was travelling well in this race in 2014 when unseating his rider. Benbens and Shuil Royale could also figure but SHOTAVODKA (NAP) caught the eye staying on late in one of these at Doncaster last month and, dropped another 3lb since, looks weighted to go close today for last year's winning stable.
Aachen 22-1 (11-4) Led to 5 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, dist behind Ziga Boy (10-0) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Pineau De Re (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Masters Hill (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out and in 3rd, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 4, 11 1/2l behind Chase The Spud (11-5) at Exeter 3m (2) hvy in Feb.
Alvarado (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) In touch, dropped to mid-division 8th (canal turn), hit 20th, chased leaders under pressure after 3 out, ridden after last, stayed on to take 4th final 50 yards, no impression, 4th of 39, 11 1/4l behind Many Clouds (11-9) at Aintree 4m 3f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Shuil Royale (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 11th, struggling from next, well behind after 4 out, 6th of 10, dist behind Silvergrove (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Pete The Feat (IRE) 15-2 (10-4) Led, ridden and joined 2 out, still upsides when not fluent last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Le Reve (11-4) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Restless Harry 7-2 (11-7) Prominent, lost place before 6 out, rallied 4 out, soon no impression, 5th of 8, 26l behind Rigadin De Beauchene (10-11) at Haydock 3m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Relax (FR) 7-1jfav (10-13) Tracked leader until hit 11th, mistake 15th, lost place when mistake 17th, well beaten after 4 out, pulled up before next, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Same Difference (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) In touch on outside, lost place 10th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 12th, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
So Fine (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Taj Badalandabad (10-10) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Shotavodka (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, went 3rd before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 5l behind Saint Are (11-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Houston Dynimo (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, lost place 13th, struggling 15th, pulled up before 3 out, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Benbens (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) In touch, pushed along and weakened before 6 out, 8th of 10, 22 3/4l behind Saint Are (11-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
