held up, ridden and headway 3f out, hampered last, kept on one pace
mid-division, never neaerer
chased leaders, mistake 4th, weakened 6th
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
behind, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and one paced from 2 out
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened flat
in touch, ridden 5th, stayed on one pace from 3 out
behind, some headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway appraocing 3 out, led last, drvien out
mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 5th, soon weakened
behind, mistake 5th, headway approaching 3 out, 5th and staying on one pace when fell last
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on one paced
This looks a difficult start to Grand National day with 20 runners set to face the starter over the extended two-mile trip. Having not been seen since notching a four-timer of victories in the autumn, Grave Doubts returns to action looking for a fifth successive win but, off his new mark, faces no easy task. Non So would have claims if able to reproduce his best but Nicky Henderson¿s horse are running below par at present and he is one to leave out of calculations. By contrast, Martin Pipe has his string in superb form at present so the likes of Polar Red, Dream With Me, Idaho d'Ox and Maragum all have to be given serious consideration. Rigmarole has run well in some big handicaps this season and should be ideally suited by both track and ground. He is entitled to go close but for the selection we side with Francois Doumen's Never. The Sir Peter O'Sullevan-owned gelding looked the likely winner of the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last month until his stamina ran out coming up the hill. He should be better suited by this flatter track and has to be respected, especially on ground that should suit.
