with leader on outer, lost place from 8 out, went wide after next, pulled up before 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, tracked leaders halfway, in 3rd when blundered 4 out and rider lost irons, pulled up before 3 out
led, ridden before 4 out, headed before 3 out, mistake last, one pace
tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, soon in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
in touch, chased leaders 3rd, led before 3 out, kept on well
in touch, went 3rd before 2 out, pecked badly last soon lost 3rd place, no extra
held up mid-division, headway before 7th, weakened before 4 out
behind, headway before 4 out, in 4th before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on to take 3rd place run-in
always towards rear, pulled up before 5th
NonRunner
Bertie Milan won the Highland National on this day three years ago and was successful over course and distance in 2015. But he doesn’t look the force of old and more interesting is last month’s Musselburgh winner Top Cat Henry, probably out of his depth at Aintree last time. Hindon Road has never won over a trip this far but Wayupinthesky won this two years ago and has been going well between the flags lately so has to go on the short-list. MONSIEUR JOURDAIN had Molten Brown back in third when landing this 12 months ago. This year’s renewal looks more competitive but the 11-year-old should take all the beating again.
Top Cat Henry (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Close up early, blundered 12th (canal turn), in touch when blundered 13th (valentines), soon lost place, 16th of 28, dist behind Dineur (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) gs in Apr.
Hindon Road (IRE) 20-1 (12-2) Held up, well off the pace 3rd, 4th from next, not fluent 8th, closed 10th, 3rd from 4 out, no chance with winner, mistake and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 6, 35l behind Knocklong (12-0) at Southwell 2m 4f (6) gd in Apr.
Monsieur Jourdain (IRE) 1-3fav (12-0) (cp) made all; r.o wl, won at Charm Park 3m gd in Apr beating Impact Zone (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Bollin Buster 4-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs til wknd aft 15, 5th of 8, 24 1/2l behind Viacometti (12-0) at Tranwell 3m gd in Apr.
Close House 5-2 (12-5) Trckd ldrs; led 12 til hdd 2 out; no ex flat, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Young Hurricane (12-5) at Askham Bryan College 3m gd in Mar.
Molten Brown 4-1 (11-0) A handy; led app last; rdn out, won at Tranwell 3m gd in Apr beating Wind Of Hope (11-4) by 4l, 4 ran.
Quel Elite (FR) 7-4 (11-0) A.p; led aft 14; just held on, won at Friars Haugh 3m 2f sft in Apr beating Clonea Power (10-9) by hd, 5 ran.
Wayupinthesky (IRE) 2-1jfav (12-3) Held up; prog to ld 15; stayed on wl, won at Friars Haugh 3m sft in Mar beating Whats Left (12-7) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Wind Of Hope (IRE) 4-5fav (11-4) A.p; led aft 11 til hdd app last; no ex, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Molten Brown (11-0) at Tranwell 3m gd in Apr.
Bertie Milan (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Prom til outpcd 3 out, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Chicago Outfit (12-0) at Overton 3m gd in Mar.
