mistake and unseated rider 1st
led, not fluent 6th, pressed 13th, disputed lead 14th, headed and weakened after the 15th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, tracked leader after the 8th, pressed leader going well 3 out, shaken up and every chance 2 out, soon ridden and held approaching the last, weekend and no extra run-in
towards rear, ridden in rear after the 13th, pulled up before 15th
tracked leader, pressed leader 13th, disputed lead 14th, led after the 15th, pressed 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, responded gamely after 2 out and led last, kept on run-in, headed and held final 110 yards
tracked leader, lost position and mid-division after the 13th, much closer and pushed along to chase leaders in 3rd after 3 out, staying on after 2 out, ran on strongly after the last and led final 110 yards
mid-division, lost position 4 out and ridden slightly detached 3 out, stayed on after 2 out but never involved
held up towards rear, some headway and ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, never a factor
NonRunner
NonRunner
Sir Ivan won a veterans’ chase at Newbury in March but a 6lb rise may have put paid to hopes of a follow-up. Fagan won at Newbury two runs ago and had excuses when last of seven finishers at Aintree on Grand National day. Doitforthevillage is likely to find this trip much too far while wind surgery will need to have revitalised Hill Sixteen and Soupy Soups’ recent completion rate isn’t much better. BEAU DU BRIZAIS is on a long losing run but his last win came off a 2lb higher mark and cheekpieces could help him end his drought today ahead of Soldier Of Love, who is 3-3 here and was clearly out his depth in the Scottish Grand National last month. Christmas In April is a stronger stayer than stablemate Highest Sun but wasn’t firing last season.
Soldier Of Love 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, challenged after 9th, led after 14th, headed next, led 17th, headed 19th, weakened quickly before 21st, pulled up after 22nd, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Rocky's Treasure (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 12th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Domaine De L'Isle (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Hill Sixteen 12-1 (12-0) Held up in touch, midfield 6th, ridden and lost place before 14th, not fluent 15th, losing ground when pulled up before 16th, at Ffos Las 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Soupy Soups (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Mid-division, not fluent and struggling 12th, well beaten 3 out, blundered badly 2 out and rider did well to stay on, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Highest Sun (FR) 10-3 (11-9) Jumped left at times, chased leaders on inside, ridden before 3 out, outpaced before next, rallied into modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Defi Sacre (11-2) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Christmas In April (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Led until 6th, pressed leader, lost 2nd after 18th, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 5, 32 1/4l behind Chef D'Oeuvre (11-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Beau Du Brizais (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden after the 12th and lost position briefly, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 9, 21l behind Domaine De L'Isle (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Doitforthevillage (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up well off the pace in last pair, bit closer in 6th when mistake 11th, tailed off, 6th of 8, 33l behind Five Star Getaway (10-11) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Sir Ivan 8-1 (11-3) Mid-division out wide, headway chasing leaders 12th, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, idled and kept up to work run-in, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar beating Valadom (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Fagan 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 13, 22 1/4l behind Happygolucky (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
