held up, headway 6 out, chased leaders next, weakened after 3 out, completely tailed off
prominent, slow 14th, soon lost place, rallied after 2 out, kept on
slowly away, behind, under pressure halfway, soon struggling, some late headway, never nearer
chased leaders, under pressure before 4 out, soon weakened
in touch, slow 2nd, lost place 7th, soon beaten
held up in rear, ridden 12th, never dangerous, pulled up after 2 out
chased leaders, effort in 3rd 4 out, no extra approaching last
held up, headway 6 out, went 2nd after next, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
made all, drew clear 2 out, easily
Though 6lb higher, Daklondike should make a bold bid to win this for a second year running having found the company too hot last time at Newbury. Lord Du Mesnil finally got off the mark at Newcastle three weeks ago and that should have lifted his confidence. Crosspark developed into a useful stayer in the spring, winning the Eider and finishing second in the Scottish Grand National. He was pulled up on his reappearance but will strip fitter here. Vintage Clouds’ run at Aintree can be ignored as he doesn’t handle the National fences. He’s a course and distance winner on a fair mark but the vote goes to THE HOLLOW GINGE, who loves a test of stamina and found 2m5f too short here four weeks ago.
Crosspark 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division on outside, lost place after 10th, soon towards rear, weakened 3 out (usual 4 out), tailed off when pulled up 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Vintage Clouds (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Towards rear, slow 3rd, behind when bad mistake 6th (chair), pulled up before 8th, at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Daklondike (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Held up and always towards rear, never on terms, 11th of 24, 24 3/4l behind De Rasher Counter (11-1) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Top Wood (FR) 20-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, chased winner next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Militarian (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
The Hollow Ginge (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Prominent, pressed leader from 4th, led 11th, shaken up turning in, headed 4 out, ridden after next, every chance 2 out, no extra and well held in 3rd before last, 3rd of 5, 14 1/2l behind Keeper Hill (11-8) at Haydock 2m 6f (2) gs in Nov.
Orchardstown Cross (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 34 3/4l behind Militarian (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Late Romantic (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Mistake 1st, held up in touch on outside, driven and lost place before 4 out, soon well behind, tailed off, 5th of 9, dist behind Perfect Candidate (11-8) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Calipso Collonges (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Towards rear, jumped right and hampered 5 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 30 1/4l behind Graceful Legend (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Led, ridden after 3 out, mistake next, headed narrowly between last 2, rallied gamely to regain lead flat, just held on, won at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Sam's Adventure (10-13) by nk, 8 ran.
