tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 16th, headed 18th, led again before 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, edged right flat, driven out
prominent, 4th 3 out, one pace until weakened 2 out
in rear, jumped slowly 11th, not fluent 14th, behind 17th
in touch, jumped right 3rd, soon lost place, mistake next, not fluent and pushed along 6th, driven 14th, behind 19th
held up towards rear, headway on inside when blundered 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, unable to challenge
held up towards rear, hit 9th, not fluent 13th, headway 4 out, one pace next, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place before 3 out
held up on outside, towards rear 3rd, mistake 12th, effort 20th, 5th and one pace 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division on outside, headway approaching 19th, one pace 3 out, weakened before next
always in rear, behind 18th
chased leaders until 16th, behind 4 out
chased leaders, lost place 18th, well beaten from next, pulled up before 2 out
led, not fluent 6th, headed 16th, lost place before 19th, well beaten 3 out
mid-division, not always fluent, headway 15th, mistake and lost place 19th
held up, headway 18th, not fluent 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, stayed on well flat, unable to reach winner
prominent, led 18th, headed when not fluent 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, lost 3rd flat
NonRunner
An ultra-competitive stayers' handicap with the weights headed by Any Currency, hero of the cross-country race at The Festival last month. The 13-year-old hasn't won over conventional fences since 2012 however. Conas Taoi was in terrific form last year, winning six times, but has his first start since December on a new career-high mark. Morney Wing may not have beaten much at Fakenham while Finish The Story always seems to find at least one too good but Financial Climate could be interesting in a first-time visor as he would have found the ground too quick when only sixth in this last year. Rebeccas Choice could run well at decent odds but Philip Hobbs runs three and will fancy his chances of success. The jumping of both Bertie Boru and Woodford County is a concern over these fences and Richard Johnson has opted to ride THOMAS WILD. The champion-elect won on the 11-year-old over a similar trip at Stratford last May and he can be forgiven his latest run in a muddy Devon National in which only two finished.
Any Currency (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 21st, led 6 out, ridden and hard pressed approaching last, edged right flat, stayed on gamely, won at Cheltenham 3m 6f (2) gd in Mar beating Josies Orders (11-4) by 1l, 16 ran.
Azure Fly (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 3rd 12th until 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 20l behind Three Faces West (10-7) at Exeter 3m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Bertie Boru (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, hit 7th, blundered 9th, headway under pressure before 3 out, left modest 3rd and slightly hampered 2 out, 3rd of 8, 6 1/4l behind Three Faces West (10-7) at Exeter 3m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Woodford County 4-1cfav (11-12) With leader, blundered 2nd, led before 5th, headed 12th, pushed along before 15th, soon weakened, badly hampered 5 out, pulled up, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Thomas Wild 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Financial Climate (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Chased leader until after 11th, chased leaders, lost place 4 out, no threat after, plugged on into 4th betweeen last two, 4th of 8, 16 3/4l behind Mosspark (11-9) at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Godsmejudge (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, hit 7th, lost 3rd 12th, ridden and weakened 14th, 6th of 8, 25l behind Three Faces West (10-7) at Exeter 3m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Morney Wing (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge after 3 out, every chance next, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Gamain (10-13) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Whats Left (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) In rear, headway to chase leaders 5 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, dist behind Universal Soldier (11-6) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Rebeccas Choice (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, 4th of 10, 25 3/4l behind Horatio Hornblower (11-6) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Mysteree (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, one pace 3 out, stayed on to dispute 3rd flat, no impression, 4th of 17, 9 3/4l behind Rocking Blues (10-8) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Hi Vic (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, fell 8th, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Ruapehu (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, blundered 6 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out, at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Hollow Blue Sky (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Towards rear, ridden after 5 out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, dist behind No Duffer (11-3) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Conas Taoi (IRE) 7-4fav (10-3) Mistake 1st, held up in touch, tracked front pair 15th, went 2nd 18th, effort 3 out, 2 lengths down and one pace last, left clear flat, won at Sandown 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Quinz (11-8) by 16l, 7 ran.
Finish The Story (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Towards rear, not fluent 6th, in touch 11th, struggling 15th, rallied 4 out, no impression on winner after next, 3rd from 2 out, mistake last, plugged on, 3rd of 8, 16 3/4l behind Tour Des Champs (11-11) at Plumpton 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Garrahalish (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracking leaders when awkward 1st, mid-division, headway 7th, outpaced 3 out, plugged on flat, 4th of 9, 18 1/2l behind Bishops Road (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
