tracked winner, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, outpaced when fell 5 out
jumped left, behind and early reminders, struggling 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
not fluent in rear, driven 13th, never dangerous
held up, headway 4 out, weakened from next
made most until headed 3 out, rallied approaching last, switched left flat, kept on, led near finish
soon behind, never dangerous
held up, fell 12th
mid-division, mistake and last place 8th, not recover and pulled up before next
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten
not fluent and behind, lost touch, pulled up before 12th
in touch, reminders 10th, blundered and lost place 14th, weakened after 4 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
mid-division, reminders and lost place 10th, headway 5 out, led 2 out, ridden and edged right last, headed near finish
in touch, headway 4 out, led next, headed 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last
tracked leaders, blundered badly and lost place 13th, headway when blundered 3 out, kept on from next, no impression
towards rear, outpaced when fell 4 out
prominent until lost place 12th, no danger after
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between m any of the leading lights but the principals look to be Standin Obligation,Kenzo and Rayshan and the narrow vote is given to Standin Obligation. The selection won well last time out when beating Getinbybutonlyjust has won off a higher mark in the past is versatile as regards ground and looks a value bet in an open affair. ,Kenzo rates the main danger on his best form he unshipped his rider on the national course last time out and should appreciate the return to regulation fences but looks vulnerable under top weight. Rayshan is another worthy of respect on his latest fourth behind Oedipe but he often finds less than expected off the bridle and at likely odds he is taken on. Ever Present was a fair second behind Kempski last time and is sure to run his race but he looks weighted up to his best. Or de Grugy is another last time out winner but this looks tougher and he will need to improve again to score. Of the others Ardaghey has dropped to a handy mark and could go if his jumping holds up but in a race where few can be ruled out but for the winner we return to Standin Obligation.
Kenzo Iii (FR) 10-1 (11-2) With leaders, led 9th to 10th (Becher's Brook), blundered and unseated rider at the 11th in race won by Gwanako (11-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd, 29 ran.
Rayshan (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) In touch, hit 4th, outpaced, 4th of 17, 25l behind Oedipe (10-4) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd.
Standin Obligation (IRE) 5-1fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 2 out, ridden last, kept on to lead flat, won at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy beating Getinbybutonlyjust (9-9) by 5l, 12 ran.
Ardaghey (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Towards rear when fell at the 4th in race won by Comply Or Die (10-9) at Aintree 4m 4f Grand National (1) gd, 40 ran.
Ever Present (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Chased winner, ridden 3 out, stayed on towards finish, held close home, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Kempski (10-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.
Eric's Charm (FR) 33-1 (11-1) In touch when fell at the 6th in race won by Gwanako (11-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd, 29 ran.
Contraband 100-1 (11-0) In touch when fell at the 11th in race won by Comply Or Die (10-9) at Aintree 4m 4f Grand National (1) gd, 40 ran.
Crathorne (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, hit 8th, headway 10th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 15, well behind Endless Power (10-3) at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (2) gd.
Blue Splash (FR) 5-1 (11-1) Led until blundered and unseated rider at the 14th in race won by Le Duc (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs, 11 ran.
Or de Grugy (FR) 11-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden approaching last, kept on flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (4) sft beating The Whisperer (11-2) by 6l, 9 ran.
Petitjean 10-3fav (11-9) Held up, mistake 3rd, headway approaching 4 out, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb beating Potts of Magic (10-2) by 7l, 8 ran.
Undeniable 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 9th of 24, well behind High Chimes (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Antonius Caesar (FR) 7-2 (10-13) Held up, mistake 7th, went 3rd after 12th, closed before last, stayed on well flat to take 2nd last strides, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Jungleland (11-0) at Haydock 3m nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
Brooklyn Breeze (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leader, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Rayshan (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Brooklyn Brownie (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) In touch, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 12, 27l behind Rayshan (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
St Matthew (USA) 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, pecked 13th, soon ridden, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 14, 28l behind Caribou (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Mar.
Ellerslie George (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Led, jumped right, hit 12th, mistake 14th, headed approaching bypassed fence, one pace, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Raining Horse (10-2) at Newcastle 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Mar.
Catch The Perk (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, left in front after 11th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, led again 2 out, kept on gamely, headed and no extra flat, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Caipiroska (10-11) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.