Old Benny is taken to defy topweight at the expense of Delray Beach, L'Eau Du Nil and Moorlands Return. There is a large turnout in the opener, and it has the makings of quite a competitive affair, but a narrow vote goes to Old Benny who has shaped well on each of his last two starts, at Chepstow and more recently here on Boxing Day. He displayed bags of stamina that day when second to Very Special One, and although a future chaser in the making, is taken to gallop his rivals into submission here despite having to give weight away all round. Delray Beach has shaped with a modicum of ability since coming over from France, and has already been put over fences this term. He too has continually found one too good, and may appreciate this switch back to the smaller obstacles. L'Eau Du Nil will definitely be going chasing, and in any case may not find conditions fast enough, while Moorlands Return seems to be settling in at Alison Thorpe's yard but needs to find more here. Lord Of Illusion is being geared towards another tilt at the National, and will benefit from this spin over timber, and so for the winner we return to Old Benny.
Old Benny 7-2 (10-12) In touch, ridden to challenge 3 out, chased winner next, kept on one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 16l behind Very Special One (10-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Delray Beach (FR) 15-8 (10-4) Tracked winner, outpaced 13th, went poor 2nd flat, no impression, 2nd of 4, 18l behind More Likely (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f mrs nov chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Lord of Illusion (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Prominent until ridden and weakened quickly 16th, behind when pulled up at the 17th in race won by Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
Alagon (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next, 10th of 15, well behind Fountain Crumble (10-5) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Four For A Laugh (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 7th, weakening when jumped right 3 out, 5th of 14, 30l behind Air Force One (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Whitford Don (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 9th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind Rockys Girl (9-7) at Taunton 3m amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Eurocelt (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, reminders before halfway, 7th 6 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out pulled up in race won by Walk Over (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp chs 0-109 sft in Nov, 14 ran.
Coorbawn Vic (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) With leaders, led 3 out, headed after 2 out, regained lead last, headed flat, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Ikemba (9-9) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
L'Eau Du Nil (FR) 7-4 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Absolutelythebest (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
English Jim (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Always behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by Knighton Lad (11-9) at Newbury 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
Ammunition (IRE) 15-8fav (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, chased leaders after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 13, 36l behind Im Spartacus (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
See More Jock 100-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, no impression, 10th of 15, well behind Celtic Major (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Edgar Wilde (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leader and raced wide throughout, led 7th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 12, 24l behind Basic Fact (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Moorlands Return 5-2fav (10-11) Mid-division, driven along from 6th, headway into 5th 2 out, stayed on, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Knighton Lad (11-9) at Newbury 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Montecorvino (GER) 6-1 (11-7) In rear, hampered 2nd, ridden and not fluent 6th, no chance when pulled up 5 out in race won by Ikemba (9-9) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Dr Charlie 33-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Celtic Major (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Radnor Lad 9-2 (11-3) Led, headed 6th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on approaching last, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Ikemba (9-9) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Silver Bow 5-1 (10-11) Chased leader after 1st, reminder after 4th, ridden approaching 8th, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Borehill Joker (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jul, 6 ran.
Captain Machell (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Never a factor, 6th of 12, well behind Snakebite (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
El Andaluz (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Made all, clear 3 out, eased flat, won at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan beating Jimmy Bond (10-13) by 13l, 12 ran.
