behind, mistakes 6th and 12th, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, kept on under pressure
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, every chance when jumped left 2 out, led after last, stayed on strongly
disputed lead until led 10th, headed 14th, weakened after 4 out
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace after last
held up towards rear, beaten before 4 out
disputed lead until outpaced after 10th, rallied 13th, every chance 3 out, hampered next, weakened last
in touch, headway to chase leaders 12th,led 14th, mistake last, soon headed, kept on under pressure
NonRunner
Looksnowtlikebrian will need to overcome a 12lb higher mark if he is to repeat last year’s victory in this, though his rider claims 7lb. Jonniesofa looked promising when last seen but has a very long absence to overcome and Silver Tassie struggles to get his head in front. Lough Derg Farmer won here in February and was second off this mark at Haydock in April so goes on the shortlist while a case can also be made for Pop Rockstar, who signed off last season with a victory at Chepstow. ARTHUR’S GIFT (NAP) forged clear on soft going here in February and can be forgiven a subsequent run in the Midlands National on bottomless ground. He will have benefited from a break and is capable of better this winter.
Looksnowtlikebrian (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Led until after 1st, soon in rear, not fluent 4th, well beaten when hampered 3 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Samburu Shujaa (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Arthur's Gift (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway after 16th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp lst (1) hvy in Mar.
Pop Rockstar (IRE) 7-2fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, good headway tracking leaders 13th, led on bit 3 out, kept on strongly, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Broadclyst (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Loose Chips 25-1 (11-8) Led, slow 1st, headed 4th, remained prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Mahlermade (10-10) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Bandsman 8-1 (11-8) Towards rear on outside, blundered 2nd, pulled up before next, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Silver Tassie (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Held up and behind, field closed together 11th, not fluent and outpaced 4 out, stayed on from last, went 3rd before last bend, closed on outside final 150 yards, 3rd of 8, 5 3/4l behind Al Co (10-11) at Cartmel 3m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Lough Derg Farmer (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Chased leaders, reminders throughout, pushed along 12th, under pressure 6 out, rallied 3 out, stayed on into 2nd 2 out, never reached winner, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Minella Daddy (11-3) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Aasleagh Dawn (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th and slight mistake 8th, 4th 4 out, ridden in 4th next, no impression on leaders, 4th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Mon Storm (11-6) at Sligo 3m 1f Good - Yielding in Sep.
Jonniesofa (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Led, not fluent 9th, headed before 4 out, soon led again, headed 3 out, very tired and clambered over 2 out and last, held by winner flat and allowed to trot home, 2nd of 3, 36l behind Lastbutnotleast (10-6) at Haydock 2m 3f (3) hvy in Dec.
