towards rear, headway before 5 out, ridden after 2 out, one pace
in touch, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression
towards rear, headway before 2 out, left 3rd after last, kept on same pace
always behind
led to 2nd, tracked leader, weakened from 3 out
in touch, left 3rd place from last, kept on
behind, ridden and weakened before 2 out
towards rear, pushed along before 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, headway 3 out, in 2nd and held when fell last
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, left 2nd after last, kept on and no chance with winner
mid-division, effort before 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, led 3 out, well in command when left clear from last
tracked leaders, led 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
Zero Grand improved markedly when tackling this sort of trip in the spring, completing a double at Exeter and Hereford. He's up 7lb here and has a long absence to overcome. Tara View won a bumper at Bangor last May then completed a hat-trick of victories at Ludlow. She ran well in a Newbury Grade 2 on her final start but very poorly on her reappearance at Wincanton last month, which wasn't her form. Mon Palois only had one opponent to beat in a novices' hurdle at Worcester then found this company a bit too hot at Cheltenham. Gavin Cromwell places his horses brilliantly and must believe he's found an opportunity for the veteran chaser RAZ DE MAREE. Runner-up in last year's Welsh National, this is a prep-run for another crack but with his excellent young rider utilising his claim the journey from Navan can pay off. Ganbei ended the last campaign with a double over fences and is 5lb lower over timber while the novice Red Rising pulled too hard on his handicap debut at Chepstow when strongly fancied and would have to be a threat if settling better.
Skipthecuddles (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-12) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Zero Grand (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Raced wide, chased leaders, went 2nd between last 2, upsides last, led near finish, won at Hereford 3m 2f (4) sft in Mar beating Rolling Dylan (11-9) by hd, 6 ran.
Tara View 6-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, driven halfway, slow 6th, soon beaten, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Nautical Nitwit (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, blundered 4 out, struggling before 2 out, 6th of 10, 19l behind Louis' Vac Pouch (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Some Kinda Lama (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led, headed 5th (usual 8th), soon in rear and strong reminders, reluctant and no chance final circuit, blundered 4 out (usual 13th), tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Vintage Clouds (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Mon Palois (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Tracked winner to before 4 out, outpaced next, no chance with clear pair from 2 out, lost modest 3rd flat, 4th of 6, 19 1/2l behind Calett Mad (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m (3) gd in Oct.
No Planning 5-2fav (11-12) Tracked leader, under pressure approaching 4 out, pulled uo quickly before next, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Rolling Maul (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, led narrowly 8th, headed before 3 out, lost place after next, weakened from last, 7th of 9, 30 3/4l behind Thomas Campbell (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Bobo Mac (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Held up, headway before 3 out, chased leaders before last, never on terms, 4th of 9, 9 3/4l behind Dashing Oscar (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Raz De Maree (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Chased leader, 6th before 8th, 6th at 10th, 5th before 4 out, ridden after 3 out, 3rd 2 out, no impression on leader in 2nd at last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 12l behind Logical Song (10-2) at Cork 3m 4f hcp sft in Nov.
Ganbei 5-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden run-in, stayed on strongly, won at Bangor 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Nightline (11-10) by 6l, 6 ran.
Red Rising (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Prominent, every chance 4 out, chased winner from last, lost 2nd place towards finish, no extra, 3rd of 11, 10 3/4l behind Steely Addition (11-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Linguine (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Reminders start, led after 1st, headed before 4th, mistake 4 out, weakened before next, 5th of 8, 36 3/4l behind Cobolobo (11-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
