chased leaders to 5th, mid-division, behind when mistake 17th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
in touch when brought down 1st
hampered 1st, mid-division towards outside, took closer order 13th, hit 5 out, chased leaders after 3 out, outpaced in 4th next, soon ridden, kept on and just lost out in duel for 3rd final 110 yards, no impression with front pair
behind, hampered 6th (bechers), hampered again 15th (chair), struggling 23rd (2nd canal turn), tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened flat
close up, blundered 3rd, blundered again and lost place 9th (valentines), mid-division, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, blundered 3rd, fell heavily 15th (chair)
in touch, fell 1st
mid-division, hit 3rd, hampered 8th (canal turn), close up 13th, lost 19th, weakened 24th (2nd valentines), behind when pulled up before 5 out
mid-division, close up 7th (foinavon), blundered and dropped to mid-division 11th, weakening when blundered and pulled up after 5 out,
hampered 1st, always towards rear, weakened 2 out, pulled up after last
always behind, hampered 8th (canal turn), struggling 12th, lost touch and pulled up after 16th (water)
never far away, hampered 6th (bechers), went 2nd after 3 out, led narrowly next, driven 5 lengths clear before elbow, ridden and tired inside final 50 yards, just held on
mid-division, badly hampered 8th (canal turn), soon behind, no danger after
always behind, pulled up before 15th
in touch, hampered 15th (chair), mid-division after, hampered 22nd (2nd foinavon), weakened 24th (2nd valentines), tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, lost place and pushed along after next, weakened from 2 out
mid-division on inside, pecked 24th (2nd valentines), chased leaders after 3 out, outpaced before next, no impression
tracked leaders, hit 20th, blundered and unseated rider 22nd (2nd foinavon)
always prominent, tracked leader 14th, led 19th, hit and headed narrowly 2 out, 5 lengths down and outpaced before elbow, ridden flat, rallied and gaining on tired winner final 50 yards, just failed
prominent on inside, left in lead 6th, (bechers), headed 19th, tracked leader, blundered 23rd (2nd canal turn), lost place but in touch when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
in touch, blundered 8th (canal turn), blundered and lost place 14th, towards rear when brought down 15th (chair)
always behind
led until fell 6th (bechers)
hamperd 1st, behind, fell 6th (bechers)
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 12th, never reached leaders, weakened 4 out
always behind, lost touch when reminders and reluctant entering final circuit, tailed off when pulled up before 18th
always towards, hampered 8th, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, badly hampered and unseated rider 8th (canal turn)
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up after last
mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 8th (canal turn)
prominent, lost place when blundered and unseated rider 7th (foinavon)
mid-division, fell 6th (bechers)
in touch, headway 3 out, soon chased front pair, ridden and readily outpaced between last 2, just held on in duel for 3rd final 110 yard, no impression
prominent, lost place 5 out, soon outpaced, 9th and beaten 2 out, plugged on into 5th flat, no impression
mid-division, fell 8th, (canal turn)
in touch, left tracking leader 6th (bechers) to 14th, remained in touch, lost place and struggling 5 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, hampered 15th (chair), driven and some headway under pressure to chase clear leaders before 2 out, kept on same pace, never a threat
NonRunner
NonRunner
Irish-trained runners seem set to dominate the betting for the world’s greatest steeplechase. Willie Mullins’ Total Recall has already won a couple of valuable handicaps this season and was rallying when falling in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. Anibale Fly ran a cracker to finish third in chasing’s blue riband and can race of his old mark in this having been raised 9lb. Tiger Roll is a former winner of the 4m National Hunt Chase and was always travelling best when landing last month’s Cross-County Chase at The Festival. He’s another who is potentially well-treated while there has been consistent market support for Ross O’Sullivan’s mare Baie Des Iles, who will be partnered by Katie Walsh. Blaklion was favourite last year but only managed fourth and, while he has an excellent record on the course, has 9lb more to carry. Minella Rocco’s jumping is a concern but there are high hopes for Scottish raiders Seeyouatmidnight and Captain Redbeard, though stamina could be an issue with the latter. The Last Samuri and Vieux Lion Rouge are regulars in this but weighted to their best, though David Pipe’s runner has had a very light campaign this time around and should give supporters a run for their money again. Gas Line Boy usually runs well over these fences and a case could be made for Warriors Tale if the trip doesn’t prove beyond Sean Bowen’s mount. I JUST KNOW is a sound jumper and looked a dour stayer when making all in the North Yorkshire National at Catterick in January. At his best of soft going, a recent defeat over hurdles will have blown away any cobwebs and he’s from a yard who knows what it takes to have a winner in this race. Shantou Flyer was pulled up last year but was tracking the leaders when hampered by a faller and can race off a 3lb lower mark. Richard Hobson has nursed him back to his best this season and he’s another due to go up in the weights again after a fine run behind Coo Star Sivola at Cheltenham. Milansbar should give Bryony Frost a good first ride in the great race but Rachael Blackmore’s mount Alpha Des Obeaux might struggle of a mark of 155. History is against Welsh National winner Raz De Maree but Houblon Des Obeaux stayed on late last year and, 5lb lower, is thrown in on his best form.
Thunder And Roses (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, fell 7th, at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp hvy in Apr.
Blaklion 9-4fav (11-12) Towards rear, headway before 5 out, chased winner before 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 8, dist behind Yala Enki (10-11) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Anibale Fly (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 18th, disputing 5th 4 out, effort to press for 3rd when not fluent 3 out, no impression on front pair 2 out, went 10 lengths 3rd last, stayed on to close final 100 yards but no impression, 3rd of 15, 8 1/2l behind Native River (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
The Last Samuri (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, outpaced by front pair before last, well held after, 3rd of 16, 13l behind Tiger Roll (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) sft in Mar.
Valseur Lido (FR) 6-4jfav (11-12) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra and tired before last, dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 14 1/2l behind Koshari (11-8) at Clonmel 2m 4f hvy in Mar.
Total Recall (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway 18th, not fluent 4 out, soon pushed along, travelling better and 6 lengths 6th when fell 3 out, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd at 7th, pushed along before 2 out, soon one pace, 6th of 10, 35 1/4l behind Edwulf (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Feb.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Led, headed narrowly 11th, blundered and lost place next, behind from 15th, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Definitly Red (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (1) hvy in Jan.
Shantou Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden after 3 out, chased winner before next, switched inside between last 2, not fluent last, rallied gamely final 100 yards, just held, 2nd of 18, nk behind Coo Star Sivola (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
Tenor Nivernais (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, led until headed 4 out, starting to lose place when not much room on inside after next, soon weakened, last of 6, dist behind Regal Encore (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb.
Carlingford Lough (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Badly hampered 7th and dropped to last, pushed along and detached 10th, pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Delusionofgrandeur (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Prominent, challenged 12th until before 4 out, 3rd when slow last, no impression on winner, one pace, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Potters Legend (11-0) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Tiger Roll (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Always prominent, challenged 6 out, led next, driven 3 lengths clear before last, ridden out flat, kept on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) sft in Mar beating Urgent De Gregaine (11-4) by 2l, 16 ran.
Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 13-2 (11-5) Held up, bumped 1st, tracked leader after 4th until after 10th, chased leaders, slightly hampered 13th, lost place next, outpaced 3 out, plugged on into 4th last, kept on pressing for 3rd, 4th of 6, 11 3/4l behind Regal Encore (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb.
Chase The Spud 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, struggling from 9 out, pulled up, at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Warriors Tale 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway before 11th, led before 3 out, pressed from 2 out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, hd behind Wakanda (11-0) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Jan.
Seeyouatmidnight 7-2 (11-12) Led until 4th, chased leader until 4 out, 2nd again and slightly hampered 3 out, soon switched right, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Tiquer (10-0) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Gas Line Boy (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Chased leaders on inside, jumped slowly 4th, hit 9th, ridden in 4th when blundered 2 out, driven and stayed on into 3rd post, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Buywise (10-8) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
The Dutchman (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Led to 10th, soon lost place, in rear and pulled up before 11th, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Pleasant Company (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, towards rear before 9th, no extra after 4 out, behind and pulled up before next, at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Ucello Conti (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Rear of mid-division, some headway after halfway, mistake 4 out, soon pushed along and no extra, behind and pulled up before next, at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Saint Are (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, always towards rear, struggling halfway, lost touch when pulled up before 20th, at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) sft in Mar.
Raz De Maree (FR) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, slightly hampered and not fluent 1st, not fluent 5th or 9th, headway 12th, led 2 out, mistake last, stayed on to draw clear flat, won at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan beating Alfie Spinner (10-7) by 6l, 20 ran.
I Just Know (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Led, headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace last, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Cadeyrn (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f (3) hvy in Mar.
Virgilio (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 11th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 12th, at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Baie Des Iles (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Prominent and led after 1st, slow 6 out, pushed along and headed entering straight, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 19, 14 1/2l behind Folsom Blue (10-11) at Punchestown 3m 5f hcp hvy in Feb.
Maggio (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Soon raced in 3rd, closed 5th, soon 2nd, 3rd again approaching 12th, under pressure approaching 3 out and dropped to last, went moderate 3rd at final fence and one pace, 3rd of 4, 19l behind Mala Beach (11-0) at Down Royal 3m 2f hvy in Mar.
Pendra (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, lost place after 3 out, held when hit next, soon ridden, weakened and eased after last, 15th of 20, dist behind Missed Approach (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Buywise (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, some headway on inside before 2 out, soon beaten, 11th of 17, 14 3/4l behind Topofthegame (11-7) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Feb.
Childrens List (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, slight mistake 13th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and no impression after next, no extra, behind and pulled up before last, at Punchestown 3m 5f hcp hvy in Feb.
Lord Windermere (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, mistake 5th, fell 10th, at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Dec.
Captain Redbeard (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led early, tracked leader, led before 3 out, held on towards finish, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Mar beating Elusive Theatre (10-12) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Chased leading pair, jumped slowly 5th, outpaced 4 out, rallied from 2 out, driven into 3rd between last 2, one pace and well held when not fluent last, 3rd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Rathlin Rose (10-5) at Ascot 3m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Bless The Wings (IRE) 25-1 (9-12) Soon chased leaders, 10th from 12th, no extra and pulled up before 18th, at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp hvy in Apr.
Milansbar (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Prominent, led 10th, headed before omitted 3 out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 18, 10l behind Regal Flow (11-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp lst (1) hvy in Mar.
Final Nudge (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, one pace next, never on terms, weakened last, 9th of 20, 32 3/4l behind Missed Approach (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Double Ross (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 17th, lost place after 3 out, one pace, next, ridden and kept on in modest 4th from last, 4th of 20, 14 1/2l behind Missed Approach (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Road To Riches (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Towards rear, never a factor, detached 5 out, no extra, behind and pulled up before last, at Punchestown 3m 5f hcp hvy in Feb.
Regal Encore (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 4th, travelling well in 3rd 3 out, led soon after last, edged right run-in, driven out, won at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb beating Minella Daddy (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Walk In The Mill (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along after 9th, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
