prominent in chasing group, went 2nd at 14th, led 2 out, kept on well
prominent in chasing group, went 2nd at 12th until 14th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased clear leader, weakened 12th, pulled up before 5 out
led clear, headed 2 out, soon weakened
prominent in chasing group, weakened 5 out, not fluent 4 out, pulled up before next
Cloudy Lane has been a massive mover in the Grand National betting this week and Donald McCain's gelding is taken to win this en-route to Liverpool; recent winners Kerry Lads and Jonny's Kick make it to the shortlist. The selection was a good winner at Haydock last time out on soft ground. He won the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last season and this progressive gelding will relish this ground and a real slog over three miles in the mud. Kerry Lads is another stout stayer and Lucinda Russell's charge was a good winner at Carlisle when last seen before Christmas. He is getting on in years but still retains plenty of enthusiasm and has solid claims. Jonny's Kick scored on heavy ground at Huntingdon for David O'Meara but a rise in the weights and this tougher company may just stunt his progression, whilst Our Armageddon and Another Rum both have winning course form but neither has been flying of late. A good race this despite the small field and Aintree hopeful Cloudy Lane gets the nod.
Cloudy Lane 10-3fav (11-3) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, headway 10th, led soon after last, won at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec beating Comply Or Die (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Kerry Lads (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, led 4 out, stayed on gamely, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov beating Elvis Returns (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Our Armageddon (NZ) 10-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 6th, hit next, headed, weakened after 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Nacarat (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Another Rum (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Mid-division, weakened from 16th, 11th of 19, 36l behind King Harald (11-8) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd.
Jonny's Kick 14-1 (10-9) Made all, shaken up after 3 out, ridden clear next, kept on under pressure, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan beating Pass Me By (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
