tracked leaders, outpaced in 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, lost place before last, no extra flat
led to 3rd, tracked clear leader, mistake 8th, hit 11th, close up 2 out, soon ridden, led flat, kept on
pressed leader, led and jumped right from 3rd, clear 8th, reduced advantage 2 out, ridden and headed when hung right flat, dropped to 4th near finish
chased leaders until mistake 3rd, soon behind, pulled up before 12th
held up towards rear, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, weakened after 5 out, tailed off when pulled up next
soon pushed along in rear, ridden 3 out, late headway under pressure before last, rallied flat, took 3rd post, nearest finish
held up behind, headway before 4 out, chased leading pair before last, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, not reach winner
Nonrunner
Mountainous won the Welsh National last season but has been a long way below that form this term. Red Devil Lads is still having problems in the jumping department but has now won here over hurdles and fences while Farbreaga has nothing to fear from Achimota on Newton Abbot running and stays well. Buachaill Alainn has been in good form having run well over 3m4f in the Tim Moloney at Haydock after winning at Chepstow. He's respected and makes more appeal than Ballybough Pat but TOP WOOD could be a tough nut to crack. Though raised 4lb since his latest second at Uttoxeter, he has the scope to overcome the extra and could be one to follow in staying races next season.
Mountainous (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 16th, went 2nd after 5 out, ridden before 4 out, weakened from next, 6th of 12, 31l behind Lie Forrit (11-6) at Haydock 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Feb.
Red Devil Lads (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Made all, blundered 7th, clear after 2 out, eased near finish (6 fences ommited), won at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Mar beating Cruising Bye (9-13) by 6l, 7 ran.
Top Wood (FR) 13-2 (10-10) Prominent, not fluent 1st, ridden 12th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance when jumped right last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Barafundle (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcap ch (3) sft in Mar.
Farbreaga (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led after 6th, headed 13th and reminders, led again before 15th, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar beating Big Society (11-9) by 2l, 7 ran.
Achimota (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Mid-division in 4th, mistake 6th, pushed along before 9th, reminders before 12th, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 32l behind Farbreaga (11-9) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Rydalis (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Led before 1st, headed 4th, led again 6th, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Gas Line Boy (11-12) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Buachaill Alainn (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Prominent on outside, lost place 12th, switched right and closed after 17th, soon outpaced, rallied 2 out, no chance with winner, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 13, 5l behind William Money (11-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Still Believing (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Held up, closed 5th, outpaced from 3 out, 3rd and well held from next, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Molo (11-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
Ballybough Pat (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Tracked leader, led before 8th, bumped and headed last, ridden and keeping on same pace and held when slightly short of room on inside run-in, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Candide (10-4) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Mar.
