in touch, headway 2 out, every chance last, stayed on strongly to lead closing stages
slow 1st, in touch, hard ridden to challenge after 3 out, soon no impression
held up in rear, slow 7th, headway to chase leaders 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last
always in rear, blundered 9th, jumped slowly 11th and 12th, soon beaten, pulled up 4 out
chased leaders, slow 11th, joined leader 15th, led next, hard ridden when challenged after 2 out, headed flat, no extra
pulled hard with leader, lost place 6 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
led, hit 12th, headed 15th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway 5 out, stayed on approaching last, never nearer
mid-division, mistake 4th, soon lost place, headway 13th, chased leaders 5 out, effort after 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 17th, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, mistake 16th, driven to challenge when not fluent 2 out, stayed on well under pressure
Withdrawn
These veteran' handicaps are becoming increasingly popular and this one has attracted a decent entry. Hey Big Spender has the class to figure, despite top weight, while Junior led to halfway in the Midlands Grand National a couple of weeks ago. Bradley was pulled up that day and needs further while Time For Rupert jumped poorly at Cheltenham. Fine Parchment has rather lost his way and Well Refreshed's jumping problems have resurfaced this season but Gauvain could be interesting as he has run well after a break in the past. TULLAMORE DEW didn't enjoy the heavy ground at Newbury last time but there is nothing wrong with his form earlier in the campaign and he's starting to look well handicapped again. He gets a tentative vote, though Max Bygraves and Fredo also have a chance at the foot of the weights.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division in touch, outpaced when hit 7 out, soon weakened tailed off, 11th of 16, well behind Balthazar King (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gd.
Junior 20-1 (10-7) Led to 7th, with leader, driven 17th, lost place after 5 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Goulanes (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gs.
Gauvain (GER) 8-1 (11-5) In rear, blundered badly 1st, jumped left next and 3rd when given reminders, losing touch before 4th, tailed off from 8th, 5th of 7, well behind Kilcrea Asla (9-10) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Well Refreshed 5-1 (11-11) Held up in last pair but in touch, headway 8th, blundered next, 3rd after 14th, well there when fell 16th, in a race won by Gotoyourplay (10-3) at Taunton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft, 6 ran.
Time For Rupert (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 12th, soon behind, tailed off, 18th of 23, well behind Holywell (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Fine Parchment (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Slowly away, soon mid-division, chasing leaders 9th, struggling after 15th, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Spring Heeled (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) gd, 23 ran.
Pickamus (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Soon prominent on outside, not fluent 9th, every chance when blundered 3 out, one pace in 5th 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 23, 31l behind Spring Heeled (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) gd.
Bradley 16-1 (9-9) Mid-division, outpaced 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Goulanes (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gs, 16 ran.
Coole River (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Took keen hold tracking leading pair, blundered 13th, not pace of leading duo between last 2, kept on to hold 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Fine Parchment (11-7) at Sandown 3m (3) gd in Dec.
Tullamore Dew (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Held up, not fluent 6th, went 4th at 14th, 3rd bypassing omitted 3 out, no chance with leading duo, lost 3rd run in, 4th of 7, 35l behind Summery Justice (10-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-150 (2) hvy.
Max Bygraves 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 5th, stumbled after 14th, 3rd and stayed on same pace from before 3 out, 3rd of 9, 13l behind On Trend (11-2) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Fredo (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 11th, outpaced 2 out, rallied and went 2nd last, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Caulfields Venture (10-3) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Aachen 5-1 (11-8) Mistake 1st, chased leaders, blundered and lost place 4th, ralllied under pressure to chase leaders agan 8th, mistake next, soon lost place and eased, pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Midnight Sail (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs, 10 ran.
