chased leaders, under pressure 12th, soon lost place, rallied 18th, slow 3 out, ridden to challenge when left in lead next, stayed on well
led until 2nd, led again next, headed 9th, led again 14th, headed 17th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 5 out
chased leaders, weakened 15th, behind when pulled up 18th
held up towards rear, mistake 10th, some headway 3 out, never on terms
held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 17th, weakened 4 out
led 2nd, headed next, remained prominent, led again 9th, headed 11th, led again 17th, headed 20th, every chance 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway 7th, outpaced 4 out, headway approaching last, kept on under pressure, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, led 11th, headed 14th, every chance when hampered 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, mistake 6th, weakened 11th, behind when pulled up 17th
behind, mistake 1st, headway 5th, soon chasing leaders, lost place 10th, mistake 16th soon pulled up
Mr Woods won at Carlisle and Ayr last week and is clearly at the top of his game. But he has two penalties to carry here, which may just be his undoing over this marathon trip. MATMATA DE TENDRON won this last year off an 8lb higher mark and is 7lb better off with runner-up Seeking Power. He has his own ideas about the game but is still capable on his day and it would be no surprise if he returned to winning ways as he's likely to be staying on here when most have cried enough. Esme Rides A Gaine had the selection behind when third in the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and can make the frame again while Boris The Blade also has plenty of stamina and preferred to Overyou of the others.
Dove Hill (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders until 3rd, pushed along and towards rear from 8th, went remote 4th 3 out, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 45l behind Mr Woods (10-2) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy.
Boris The Blade 80-1 (10-0) Led, headed 3rd, tracked leaders, led again 15th, headed 3 out, one pace after, 4th of 11, 16l behind Portrait King (11-8) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Feb.
Mr Woods 13-8fav (10-13) Pressed leader, led when hit 6th, mistake 5 out, headed narrowly next, led again 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Rossini's Dancer (11-7) by 17l, 7 ran.
Ballycarron Lad (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along 9th, soon lost place, struggling from 10th, 5th of 7, 43l behind Et Maintenant (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Overyou 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden before last, plugged on to take 3rd last 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Brixen (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f mrs nov chs (5yo+) (4) sft in Feb.
Chernik (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) In touch, dropped to rear 2nd, reminders 7th, behind next, pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Do It For Dalkey (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Bubbly Breeze (IRE) 11-4fav (10-10) Held up towards rear, reminders after 11th, weakened from 14th, 4th of 8, 15l behind Salut Honore (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gs.
Esme Rides A Gaine 11-1 (10-13) Mid-division, pushed along and in rear from 9th, kept on from 3 out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Vin De Roy (11-9) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Feb.
Matmata de Tendron (FR) 11-1 (10-2) Chased leaders and wide, pushed along and lost place 8th, went remote 4th 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 32l behind Total Rebellion (11-10) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Seeking Power (IRE) 3-1 (9-10) Mid-division, pushed along from 7th, dropped towards rear and reminder 9th, weakened 5 out, 5th of 8, 27l behind Playing The Field (11-3) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Moneylaws (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Wknd aft 13; to & pu aft 15, in a race won by Highland Cathedral (12-0) at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Feb, 4 ran.
