held up in rear, mistake 6th and 9th, headway after 3 out, mistake 2 out, disputing 2nd before elbow, no impression on winner, 3rd and held final 100 yards
mid-division, headway on inside 4th, not fluent 14th, hampered 15th, led last, soon clear, stayed on gamely
held up in mid-division, headway 15th, disputing 2nd before elbow, no impression on winner, kept on
soon towards rear, mistake 5th, blundered 13th (valentines), mistake next, well beaten 2 out, tailed off
a few positions but never handy, mistake 1st, badly hampered 15th, mistake next, well beaten 2 out, tailed off
prominent, not fluent 10th (becher's brook), blundered baldy and weakened 2 out, tailed off
chased leaders on outside, lost place 3rd, closed before 5th, slow next, not fluent 14th, effort 15th, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
led, jumped left 3rd (chair), blundered 11th, headed next (canal turn), led 14th, fell 15th
chased leaders, mistake 7th, challenged 14th, left in lead next, headed after 3 out, no extra before elbow
prominent, led 12th (canal turn), headed 14th, led after 3 out, headed last, no extra before elbow
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, fell 8th
Back over the National fences for a competitive finale. Conditions have persuaded Ian Williams to run Gas Line Boy in this rather than the Becher Chase. He jumped well when fifth in the Grand National in April and was in front and still travelling strongly when falling three out on his reappearance on the Mildmay Course here so has to go on the short-list. Imjoeking has form on heavy going but fell at The Chair in the Topham here in April when Ultragold was a game winner. Sametegal was returning from a lengthy absence when second at Wetherby but this is a tough task under top weight for one that’s had little racing in the last couple of seasons. ARCTIC GOLD has yet to win over fences but has finished second three times, all on heavy going, and being a maiden didn’t stop Rule The World winning over these obstacles not long ago. He jumps well and this intermediate distance should suit. Mercian Prince and Captain Redbeard aren’t out of this if they get into a rhythm.
Sametegal (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway after 5 out, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and always well held by winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Guitar Pete (10-1) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Gas Line Boy (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Made most, went on after 4 out, 7 lengths clear and staying on when fell next, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Ultragold (FR) 25-1 (10-13) In touch, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next, 9th of 16, 22 1/2l behind Go Conquer (11-0) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Dresden (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Mostly tracked leader, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Rolling Dylan (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Captain Redbeard (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) In touch in 4th, went 2nd from 4 out, led before 3 out, headed before last, weakened towards finish, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Cyrus Darius (11-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Led until before 2nd, stayed prominent, slipped on landing at 2nd, challenged 2 out, beaten last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Starchitect (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Rathlin Rose (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway before 4 out to challenge every chance 2 out, one pace in 3rd place from last, 3rd of 10, 10 1/2l behind Cresswell Breeze (11-7) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Arctic Gold (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 7th, headed before 3 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Cyrus Darius (11-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Mystifiable 13-2 (10-0) Keen, led approaching 3rd, went right 6th and next, clear 5 out, pushed along and reduced lead when blundered badly 3 out, soon headed, no chance with winner, weakened last, 4th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Romain De Senam (10-1) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Imjoeking (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, not much room and mistake next, soon lost place, well beaten 3 out, 6th of 8, 23 1/2l behind Baby King (11-4) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
No No Mac (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Held up in close 5th, pecked 15th, pushed along before 4 out, weakened next, last of 6, 10 3/4l behind Catamaran Du Seuil (11-5) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
