in touch, driven to chase winner approaching 3 out, every chance last, ridden and kept on flat, held near finish
held up in last pair, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division on outside, headway and in touch 5th, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression before next
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, ridden to chase leaders on outside after 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
soon mid-division, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
in touch, tracked leading pair approaching 3 out, effort on inside next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, held flat, lost 3rd near finish
in touch, pressed leader after 3rd, led 5th, made rest, hard pressed last, soon ridden, kept on flat
mistakes, mid-division, reminder after 3rd, chased leaders on outside after 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, no impression when switched inside 2 out
led to 5th, soon lost place, behind 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
in touch, headway 3 out, close up in 4th when fell next
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 2 out, weakened next
in touch on inside, headway when not fluent 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to take 3rd near finish
hampered 2nd, held up in last pair, stayed on into mid-division from 3 out, never near leaders
mid-division on inside, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms
Rumble Of Thunder is only 2lb higher than when winning in this grade at Aintree around this time last year. He was far from disgraced on his reappearance in a hot contest at Market Rasen but did finish behind NINE STORIES and Chris Grant's seven-year-old could make the most of his guaranteed fitness here against several who may be better for the run. Karasenir, Lightening Rod and Simply Ned are bracketed among the latter but Bothy, Hi Dancer, Tinseltown and Zaplamation have been in action on the Flat and should make their presence felt. Boxer Beat and Bridlingtonbygones struggle to get across the line in front, however, and both are a pound out of the handicap in this.
Bothy 9-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders and keen, outpaced before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened after last, 7th of 22, 15l behind Russian War (10-1) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr '11.
Karasenir (IRE) 15-8 (11-5) Led, stumbled 1st, headed next, chased leader until dropped to rear 6th, reminders next, struggling and no chance before 3 out, last of 4, 19l behind Just Victor (10-6) at Stratford 2m 4f Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gf in Oct '11.
Rumble Of Thunder (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 10th of 15, 9l behind Local Hero (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Sep.
Unknown Rebel (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, tailed off after 3 out, 13th of 15, 13l behind Local Hero (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Sep.
Lightening Rod 50-1 (10-5) Always behind, 13th of 21, 28l behind Lifestyle (11-2) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Simply Ned (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Raced wide, took keen hold, tracked leading trio, not fluent 3rd, went 3rd after 5th, pushed along before 3 out, held when when blundered 2 out, 4th of 6, 24l behind Dontpaytheferryman (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Hi Dancer 9-4fav (10-12) Made most, clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Apr beating Alba King (9-7) by 19l, 6 ran.
Nine Stories (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, never a factor, 8th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Local Hero (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Sep.
Wolf Hall (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Soon towards rear, niggled along 4 out, no extra next, completely tailed off, last of 5, well behind Mickelson (11-10) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hdl gf in May.
Meetings Man (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Held up towards rear and keen, pecked badly and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Vosges (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo hdl (2) sft in Feb '11, 8 ran.
Tinseltown 6-4fav (12-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on after last, went 2nd closing stages, never a threat, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Agricultural (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Jun.
Zaplamation (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Held up mid-division, went 4th before 3 out, led last, stayed on strongly run-in, won at Cartmel 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gs in Aug beating Molaise Lad (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Boxer Beat (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, left 4th 2 out, soon pushed along, ridden and no extra before straight, 4th of 5, well behind Baily Green (11-8) at Roscommon 2m nov chs (1) hvy.
Bridlingtonbygones (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Mid-division, chased leaders under pressure before 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last, 7th of 14, 44l behind Romanesco (11-9) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
