held up towards rear, mistake 14th, never on terms
chased leader until 4th, chased leaders, weakened 15th, behind after
held up towards rear, steady headway on outside before 3 out, challenging and every chance when went badly left and hampered rivals 2 out, soon 2nd, hung right under pressure run-in, strong challenge near finish, just failed
tracked leader 2nd until mistake 16th, chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next
towards rear, headway on outside into mid-division 8th, chased leaders approaching 14th, 2nd 4 out, every chance 2 out, carried left soon after, weakened
chased leaders, led 7th, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up and behind, good headway on inside chasing leaders 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace run-in
mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 13th, went 2nd 17th, led when badly hampered and lost place 2 out, weakened, not recover
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 14th, challenged and badly bumped 2 out, soon led, joined last, driven and stayed on towards finish, all out
mid-division, weakened 3 out
always behind, jumped left 10th, not fluent 13th, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 11th, weakened approaching 2 out
led until 7th, remained prominent, hit 4 out, weakened after next
NonRunner
Singlefarmpayment has won twice around here but was rather let down by his jumping at The Festival last month and has become expensive to follow. Delusionofgrandeur makes a quick reappearance after pulling up in Saturday’s Grand National but stablemate Smooth Stepper stayed on well to win over this trip at Kelso 11 days ago and Lovely Job has already won three times this season. Fergal O’Brien also runs veteran Alvarado, who is a thorough stayer, but Another Hero hasn’t been seen since running in last year’s Scottish National. SOME INVITATION has only run twice over fences so has scope and gets a tentative vote in a race in which there are doubts surrounding many of the principals. Scotchtown won’t be suited by the drying ground and the longer trip could be a problem for Double Treasure but More Buck’s is well treated if he can rediscover his best form.
Double Treasure 25-1 (11-8) Mid-division on inside, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 17, 22 3/4l behind Splash of Ginge (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Smooth Stepper 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led before 7 out, headed before 5 out, led again before 2 out, kept on well, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Apr beating Baywing (11-9) by 8l, 10 ran.
Singlefarmpayment 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division on inside, not fluent 5th (water), hit 12th, blundered 15th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, 4th when not fluent last, never on terms, lost place closing stages, 5th of 18, 12l behind Coo Star Sivola (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
Delusionofgrandeur (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Always behind, hampered 8th (canal turn), struggling 12th, lost touch and pulled up after 16th (water), at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Apr.
Some Invitation (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, dropped rear 12th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Lovely Job (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Made all, jumped left throughout, ridden after last, held on well towards finish, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Beau Du Brizais (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Dell' Arca (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up behind, ridden after 2 out, never a threat, 18th of 23, 35 3/4l behind Delta Work (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Vic De Touzaine (FR) 40-1 (10-10) Always behind, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
Another Hero (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) In touch, driven to chase leaders 4 out, ridden and one pace atetr next, weakened from 2 out, 11th of 30, 19 3/4l behind Vicente (11-10) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Scotchtown (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 10th, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 3, 2 1/4l behind Cadeau Du Bresil (11-0) at Towcester 3m stks (4) hvy in Mar.
Coologue (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, led 5th, headed 13th, chased leader until 15th, chased leaders, weakened 17th, behind and pulled up before next (4 out), at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
More Buck's (IRE) 16-1 (12-5) Held up, steady headway chasing leaders 11th, one pace in 4th when dived 2 out, weakened after last, 7th of 11, 17 1/4l behind Baden (12-0) at Sandown 3m (3) sft in Mar.
What Happens Now (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Mistake 1st, soon led, headed 4th, hit 9th, weakened 3 out, rallied after next, left in 2nd at last, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Morney Wing (10-10) at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Alvarado (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Held up in touch on outer, 5th when not fluent 14th, rallied into 2nd 3 out, every chance next, ridden and outpaced by front pair between last 2, stayed on to regain 2nd near finish, no impression, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Mister Don (10-11) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
