led, ridden approaching 9th, headed 3 out, soon driven, weakened
mid-division, smooth headway 2 out, challenged last, driven, just held flat
tracked leaders, led 3 out, driven and held on gamely towards finish
mid-division, ridden 4 out, driven and weakened 2 out
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, driven and weakened approaching last
held up, headway 3 out, driven 2 out, one pace from last
mid-division, mistake 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Nigel Twiston-Davies won this event with Redemption two years ago and is taken to do so again with PETTIFOUR who showed progressive form last term, culminating with success at the Grand National meeting, and he can make a winning return, getting the verdict ahead of Lough Derg and Mobaasher. The last mentioned lost no caste in defeat in the Pertmeps final prior to a win on his final start of last term in a decent handicap back at Cheltenham and he has to be considered with Paul Nicholls having made a good start to the season. Faasel is more than capable on his day but the Nicky Richards-trained gelding seems to have lost his way and he seems best watched, while Liberate comes here fit from the flat but does need to improve on his hurdles form to trouble the selection. Howard Johnson's No Refuge has similar claims at the weights but has yet to confirm that he truly stays this far in this grade over hurdles. Lough Derg has every chance at the weights but there has to be a concern about the overall form of David Pipe's runners and a better bet looks to be Pettifour, who is taken to continue winning ways on his reappearance.
Lough Derg (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Held up, ridden after 4 out, never on terms, 9th of 16, 27l behind Border Castle (9-13) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Mobaasher (USA) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up, in touch 3 out, lost ground on leaders after 2 out, progress last, quickened to lead near finish, won at Cheltenham 3m hdl (2) gd in Apr beating Ballyfitz (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Pettifour (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) With leader, led 2nd to 4th, remained prominent, hit 7th, challenged 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Gone To Lunch (11-4) by a nk, 13 ran.
Faasel (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd 5 out, lost place and weakened from before 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Punchestown 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Hue 25-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 10th of 22, 19l behind Ashkazar (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Liberate 10-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, led 2 out, ran on gamely, won at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in May beating Very Cool (11-2) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
No Refuge (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Mid-division until weakened after 4 out, 5th of 7, 20l behind Kasbah Bliss (11-12) at Haydock 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Redemption 12-1 (11-6) Held up, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 31l behind Thunder Rock (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Sept.
