in touch when pecked 1st, mid-division, closed up on outside 5th, challenged after 3 out, led after next, ridden and hard pressed flat, held on near finish
prominent, lost place 11th, reminders before 5th, behind 3 out
led to 9th, tracked leader, lost place after 3 out, no impression in 5th when slightly hampered 2 out, weakened flat
in touch, driven to chase leaders 3 out, 4th and one pace when blundered badly and almost unseated rider next, not recover
held up behind, headway on outer before 3 out, soon driven to chase leaders, went 3rd 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace flat, no impression
prominent, ridden and lost place after 3 out, weakened next
behind, blundered 4 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and kept on same pace from last, no impression
towards rear, headway and in touch on outside 13th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-diviison, close up 10th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, headway to lead 9th, headed after 2 out, rallied flat, just held near finish
mid-division, dropped towards rear 10th, no danger after
No favourite has won this in the last nine years. Knock House beat two rivals at Huntingdon in April and looked in need of the run on his reappearance last month where outpaced in the closing stages. The Pipe family have a very good record in the event so Alternatif, who had a run on the Flat at the Curragh last month, will bid to go one better than on his chasing bow at Carlisle where beaten at odds on. Derek O'Connor was on board when Super Duty was beaten a head in last year's Kim Muir here and his presence again suggests connections mean business while Jamie Codd just failed to galvanise Definite Ruby to victory over the track and trip last month and comes back for another crack. Katie Walsh has been booked for Tony Martin's OUR SOX, who made too many mistakes when a close third at Punchestown last month. Providing he jumps better he should get into the action and gets the vote.
Knock House (IRE) 10-11fav (11-10) Tracked winner, joined winner 3 out, ridden next, led briefly flat, no extra close home, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Open Hearted (11-10) at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Super Duty (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Always behind, struggling 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 6 out (2nd valentines), at Aintree 4m 3f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Minellahalfcentury (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Chased leader until ridden before 11th, weakened quickly, tailed off 12th, pulled up soon after, at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Return Spring (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Soon towards rear, never involved, tailed off, 12th of 20, dist behind Just A Par (10-3) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Alternatif (FR) 6-1fav (9-1) Mid-division, 12th halfway, 15th and pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression, kept on same pace final furlong, 14th of 20, 7 1/4l behind Digeanta (9-10) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in Oct.
No Duffer 9-2fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, joined leader 16th, led narrowly after 2 out, headed last, ridden and no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 8 3/4l behind Lamb Or Cod (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Definite Ruby (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway when slightly hampered 3 out, challenging when pecked 2 out, led and edged left before last, headed flat, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Regal Flow (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Ericht (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, reminder after 8th, joined leaders 12th, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Sedgemoor Express (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Mia's Anthem (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) In rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Highland Lodge (11-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
Firm Order (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) In rear, struggling from 17th, pulled up before 2 out, at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Foxbridge (IRE) 9-2fav (10-11) Held up in touch, blundered 16th, outpaced 4 out, no impression in 5th when blundered next, well beaten before 2 out, 5th of 8, 37 3/4l behind Lamb Or Cod (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Our Sox (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) In rear, closer order 15th and slightly awkward, slight mistake next and 4 out, 7th before straight, pecked 2 out, chased leaders in 4th after last, kept on, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Much Wants More (12-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp gd in Oct.
