mid-division, tracked leaders after 12th, effort 2 out, soon ridden, switched inside and every chance last, kept on, held near finish
always behind, ridden after 4 out, tailed off from next
mid-division, tracked leaders 8th, lost place 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders to 14th, soon behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up next
towards rear, headway into mid-division 12th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden after next, one pace when not much room flat, no extra
tracked winner, lost place 4 out, wakened before next, soon pulled up
mid-division, outpaced 5 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, not reach leaders
mid-division, blundered 12th, driven to chase leaders after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, headway under pressure after last, rallied to press winner and every chance towards finish, just failed
mid-division, headway after 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out
held up behind, headway on outer after 4 out, driven to chase leaders next, ridden after last, kept on
prominent, effort 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, soon ridden, no extra closing stages
behind, headway under pressure after 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, switched inside and stayed on well closing stages, nearest finish
made all, ridden after 2 out, hard pressed flat, kept on gamely, just held on
Last year’s first and second, The Young Master and Just A Par, are back for more and can race off similar marks. The latter won this in 2015, when Le Reve was third, so can’t be ignored and both will be hoping for better luck than in the Grand National at Aintree. Sam Waley-Cohen’s mount got lit up at the start and fell at Bechers when prominent on the first circuit while Paul Nicholls’ stayer got outpaced and never figured. The Druid’s Nephew was fifth 12 months ago when 10lb higher and has been lightly campaigned this season. Vyta Du Roc is a previous course winner and Present Man has won four times already this season, though will have to prove his stamina. He was also beaten by SUGAR BARON at Wincanton under a year ago and is 8lb worse off. Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old fits the profile of recent winners of this. He was unsighted when unseating his rider at the first in last week’s Scottish Grand National but had earlier been a real eye-catcher in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham and looks sure to appreciate the extra yardage here.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, never troubled leaders, 8th of 23, 31 3/4l behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Just A Par (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Always behind, 14th of 40, dist behind One For Arthur (10-11) at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
The Young Master 20-1 (10-13) Close up when fell 6th (bechers), at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Le Reve (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Raced wide, chased leaders, pushed along after 7th, ridden and weakened quickly before 3 out, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Dell' Arca (11-7) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
The Druids Nephew (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division, pushed along 5 out, chased leaders under pressure 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression, 7th of 23, 29 1/4l behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Present Man (IRE) 15-8 (11-6) Made all, mistake 8th, not fluent 11th, joined 4 out, ridden and in command when wandered before last, idled slightly run-in, stayed on, driven out, won at Ascot 2m 5f (3) gd in Apr beating Dark Flame (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Rock The Kasbah (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind American (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Vyta Du Roc (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 10th, jumped left and hit 3 out, no impression next, blundered last, 5th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Blameitalonmyroots (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Whats Happening (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway 6th, close up on outside 14th, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened, 11th of 24, 19l behind Domesday Book (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Benbens (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to take narrow 3rd from last, not reach front pair, 3rd of 30, 2 1/4l behind Vicente (11-10) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Sugar Baron (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) In touch when fell 1st, at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Doing Fine (IRE) 3-1fav (11-11) Held up in rear, steady headway from 15th, led 2 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Ugolin De Beaumont (10-7) by 6l, 10 ran.
Henllan Harri (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until after 9th, chased leaders, 2nd again 12th until 14th, chased leading pair, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and beaten before next, 3rd of 7, 15 1/4l behind Upswing (11-4) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
