mid-division, hit 11th (foinavon), headway to chase leaders 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
mid-division when hampered and fell 12th (canal turn)
behind, some headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened next
hampered 1st, behind, headway into mid-division when fell 8th
mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 3rd (chair)
mistakes and early reminders, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 12th (canal turn)
blundered 1st, chased leaders, mistake 8th, kept on to go 3rd last, no impression
mid-division, hampered 12th (canal turn), never on terms
tracked leader, hit 3rd (chair), led 12th (canal turn), headed 4 out, 3rd and ridden when fell next
mid-division, pecked 10th (bechers), fell 12th (canal turn)
fell 1st
hampered and brought down 1st
hampered 1st, mid-division when blundered 5th, fell 9th
behind, hampered 9th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led 10th (bechers), headed 12th (canal turn), remained in touch, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression flat
led, slipped and headed 10th (bechers), 6th when hit 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next
always behind
hampered and unseated rider 1st
in touch, led 4 out, ridden after last, stayed on well flat
behind when hampered 1st, tailed off when carried wide 12th (canal turn), never dangerous
fell 1st
Another competitive renewal that can go the way of Theatre Knight with Turthen and Parkingson both live dangers. The selection was second to Dunbrody Millar in the Topham Trophy over the National fences at the Aintree Festival back in the spring. He took a liking to the fences that day and he looks well treated. Turthen finished an eye catching third to Abragante in the Badger Beer chase at Wincanton last time out. His only look round these fences in the past was when unseating his rider in the Topham in the Spring. Having said that his form reads well and if putting in a good round of jumping he will a threat to the selection. Parkingson has not been since pulling up in the Midlands National last season. His form last year was impressive and he has run well fresh in the past so is one to note. But for the winner we return to Theatre Knight.
Turthen (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Mid-division, effort after 4 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Abragante (10-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd.
Theatre Knight (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 11th to chase leaders, effort approaching 2 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, kept on, 2nd of 29, 6l behind Dunbrody Millar (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Rookery Lad 22-1 (10-3) Mid-division, effort 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 37l behind The Wicketkeeper (10-10) at Ascot 2m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gf.
Donovan (NZ) 11-4fav (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 11th, chased leaders 13th, driven 2 out, stayed on gamely flat, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind The Entomologist (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Craven (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, beaten approaching next, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Aleron (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Tighe Caster 7-2 (11-8) In touch in main group, jumped right 2nd, went 3rd 9th, 6 lengths down when jumped right and fell 4 out in race won by Cool Roxy (11-9) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct, 6 ran.
Parkinson (IRE) 17-2 (10-0) Held up towards rear, stayed 2nd, remainders after 4th and 7th, struggling and behind from 18th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Baron Windrush (10-9) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Mar, 18 ran.
Bannister Lane 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led after 7th, blundered 16th, headed approaching 18th, soon weakened, 7th of 8, well behind Martha's Kinsman (11-0) at Ascot 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Lawyer Des Ormeaux (FR) 11-10fav (11-4) Chased leader, pushed along and lost 2nd after 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 4, 25l behind Burntoakboy (10-12) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) gf in Oct.
Rowdy Yeats (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 6, 17l behind Leslingtaylor (11-2) at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (1) gd in Oct.
Which Pocket (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Led to 4th, chased leader, ridden 10th, lost place 12th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by The Entomologist (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd, 6 ran.
Alphabetical (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) In touch, headway and chased leaders 13th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and lost place, jumped left 2 out and last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Petitjean (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Caipiroska 10-11fav (10-2) Held up, smooth headway to track leaders approaching 3 out, led last, ridden and headed towards finish, 2nd of 18, nk behind Go Johnny (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Glenfolan (IRE) 11-2jt-fav (10-13) Held up, progress into 8th before 4 out, close 4th travelling well 2 out, 3rd and challenged last, 2nd run-in, stayed on well to lead near finish, won at Naas 3m hcp chs 0-109 gd beating Slyguff Rory (11-10) by a shd, 20 ran.
Surfboard (IRE) 6-5fav (11-4) Held up well in rear, steady headway from 3 out, sat quietly in 2nd 2 out, led last, shaken up and quickened to go clear flat, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd beating Cleymor House (10-4) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Jimmy Bond 18-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden 4 out, kept on from 3 out, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Rayshan (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Olay Olay (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Made all, clear from 5 out, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf beating Super Road Train (10-13) by 22l, 7 ran.
Mighty Moose (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 8th, led after 10th, clear before 2 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating Nils Anderson (11-5) by 7l, 12 ran.
King Coal (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) In touch, behind from 13th, tailed off 4 out, 11th of 12, 39l behind Oniz Tiptoes (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Lampion du Bost (FR) 6-1 (10-4) Prominent, dropped rear 5th, mistake 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by It's A Roofer (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jun, 8 ran.
High Moon (USA) 33-1 (11-7) Behind, left poor 4th 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 29l behind Dead Mans Dante (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Cassia Heights 11-2 (10-0) Towards rear, mistake 13th, headway next, ridden to lead last, edged left flat, all out, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf beating Ferimon (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
