held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 3 out, tracked leaders going well next, challenged between last 2, every chance last, ridden and one pace flat, lost 3rd near finish
mid-division on inside, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened
in touch on inside, driven and lost place after 2 out, soon one pace, no impression when not fluent last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led after 3 out, driven and headed approaching last, no extra
mid-division, outpaced 2 out, never near leaders
towards rear of mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, outpaced after next, ridden and no impression before last, soon weakened
disputed 2nd behind clear leader, close up 5th, ridden after 3 out, lost place after next, soon weakened
always behind, outpaced when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, headway to challenge 2 out, ridden and lost place before last, weakened flat
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 3 out, close up and every chance on outside next, one pace between last 2, beaten approaching last
always behind, struggling 3 out, never dangerous, tailed off
behind, outpaced before 2 out, weakened soon after
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, weakened from next
hit 1st, tracked leaders, headway and effort on inside 2 out, challenged between last 2, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well
towards rear, outpaced when stumbled after 3 out, stayed on into mid-division after last, never near leaders
led, clear to 5th, headed after 3 out, ridden and weakened after next
held up behind, headway into mid-division on outside 3 out, chased leaders when hit next, ridden and one pace before last, soon weakened
tracked clear leader, close up behind leaders 5th, lost place after 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, effort after 2 out, ridden and every chance before last, kept on same pace flat, took 3rd near finish
mid-division, chased leaders on outside 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure approaching last, not pace to reach leaders
tracked leaders, close up 2 out, challenged between last 2, led narrowly before last, ridden and headed flat, kept on, held towards finish
mid-division on outside, lost place and ridden before 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off
towards rear, headway under pressure into mid-division after 3 out, no further progress, weakened before last
Nonrunner
There are 16 qualifiers for this throughout the season but only once has a horse who has won one of those gone on to take the final. However, it was difficult not to be impressed by Regal Encore's victory at Exeter and connections appear to have found his best trip. The presence of A P McCoy in the saddle will ensure support. David Pipe runs four and habitual front-runner Bygones Sovereign will ensure a strong pace. He's on a hat-trick but may be too high in the weights now. Subsequent Grand National winner Pineau De Re and Trustan Times were both placed in this last year with On The Bridge sixth. Tim Easterby's charge comes out best of that trio today at the weights today but EDEYMI looks better handicapped. Tony Martin's gelding looks to have been laid out for this after his staying-on fourth behind Dawalan and Run Ructions Run under a claimer at Musselburgh last time. The quicker ground is a huge factor in his favour and he's run well before at The Festival. The Tourard Man is a stout stayer who will enjoy the likely fast gallop. He is weighted to reverse Exeter running with Regal Encore but quicker conditions are a concern. Katkeau has bags of ability but is a weak finisher and the handicapper may have got to Join The Clan. Big Easy should be thereabouts, however, and Call The Cops stormed home over this trip at Doncaster 12 days ago and could go close under his penalty.
Henryville 5-2 (11-12) Held up in rear but in touch, headway on inside when left in 4th approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 10l behind Master Of The Hall (9-9) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Dawalan (FR) 11-4fav (11-9) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead last 100 yards, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Feb beating Kruzhlinin (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Big Easy (GER) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, kept on same pace from 2 out, hampered and switched right flat, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Regal Encore (10-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Brother Brian (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Led, headed before 3 out, ridden and stayed on same pace before last, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Rock On Ruby (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec.
Pineau De Re (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Prominent, led after 8th, headed before 3 out, one pace next, 8th of 11, 9l behind Regal Encore (10-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Knight Of Noir (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway on outside 7th, one pace and beaten 2 out, stayed on flat, 5th of 11, 6l behind Regal Encore (10-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Trustan Times (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Towards rear, in 7th before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, one pace, 5th of 12, 22l behind Lie Forrit (11-6) at Haydock 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Feb.
Peckhamecho (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway 17th, struggling when not fluent 4 out, well beaten from next, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Hawkes Point (10-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Jan.
Join The Clan (IRE) 7-2 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, led run-in, kept on well, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jan beating Alpha Victor (11-11) by 2l, 12 ran.
Regal Encore (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway on inside 3 out, challenged next, soon led, clear flat, ran on, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb beating Alaivan (10-1) by 3l, 11 ran.
On The Bridge (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Mid-division, raced on outside, lost place 2nd, mistake 7th, soon struggling, well beaten before 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Virtuel D'oudon (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Dolatulo (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, mistake 6 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 16, 21l behind Bygones Sovereign (9-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Spirit Of Shankly 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, driven after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms, 5th of 12, 22l behind Batavir (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Call The Cops (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 5th until after 7th, led 3 out, ridden clear before last, readily, won at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Feb beating Waltz Darling (10-13) by 5l, 6 ran.
Run Ructions Run (IRE) 15-2 (10-10) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, chased winner run-in, always held, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Bygones Sovereign (9-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Bygones Sovereign (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Made all, soon clear, kept on well from last, won at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb beating Run Ructions Run (10-10) by 3l, 16 ran.
Katkeau (FR) 3-1fav (11-4) Held u towards rear, headway approaching 5th, challenged 3 out, led after 2 out, ridden before last, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, shd behind Virtuel D'oudon (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Junction Fourteen (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leading pair, 2nd before 2 out, ridden to lead before the last until last, weakened run-in, 5th of 12, 11l behind Invicta Lake (10-9) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Jan.
The Tourard Man (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, challenged 3 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Regal Encore (10-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Aqalim 10-3fav (10-8) In touch, pushed along before 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, kept on and lost 2nd place run-in, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Bygones Sovereign (9-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Unique De Cotte (FR) 11-4fav (10-3) Led, raced keenly and set good pace, hit 4th and 6th, mistake and went clear from 3 out, 5 lengths up 2 out, mistake last, stayed on strongly, ridden out, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb beating Padge (10-6) by 6l, 7 ran.
Sybarite (FR) 7-1 (10-7) Held up, mistake 6th, ridden 8th, outpaced 3 out, ran on well flat, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 10, 3l behind Rolling Maul (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Edeymi (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) In rear, headway before last, kept on to take 4th place towards finish, 4th of 12, 6l behind Dawalan (11-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Closing Ceremony (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Led, ridden before 2 out, held on well, won at Haydock 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb beating Seeyouatmidnight (11-13) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
