tracked leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 7th, hard ridden and stayed on again after 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out
held up in rear, not always fluent, driven and no impression from 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 11th, drew clear from 2 out, ridden out
in rear early, steady headway from 14th, in touch when blundered 4 out, disputing 3rd and held when blundered and unseated rider next
took keen hold, held up, 5th when blundered badly 12th, no chance when jumped left 3 out
led to 11th, hard ridden and no impression after 3 out, blundered last
held up, hard ridden and no headway from 4 out
chasing leader when blundered 2nd and lost place, blundered 5th and lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 10th, dismounted and unsaddled
There would be no more deserving winner of the finale than the Philip Hobbs-trained Atavistic. Placed in all five starts this term, prior to finding conditions too testing in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last month, the 10-year-old is due a change of luck. Stablemate Village King has been inconsistent of late but still retains ability judged by his win at Fontwell in February. The Gold Cup winning team of Henrietta Knight and Jim Culloty are represented by Chalmers Place, who comes into this in better form than most, along with last time out winner Mazileo who has a nice racing weight. Although burdened by 11st 12lb Mister One should not be far away. Colin Tizzard's 11-year-old comes here fresh from winning the Devon National last time and with the faster ground here in his favour another bold showing should be expected.
