held up in rear, pushed along 18th, struggling when blundered badly 20th, soon lost touch, behind when fell last
prominent, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden to chase leader approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in to lead towards finish
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, pushed along 20th, outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
mid-division, mistake 9th, dropped rear 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 18th
tracked leaders, headway to join leader 19th, led approaching 3 out, headed towards finish, no extra
towards rear, pushed along 18th, ridden 20th, no impression
in touch, pushed along and blundered badly 18th, soon pulled up
led, headed approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened run-in
soon behind, tailed off halfway, pulled up before 4 out
The Scottish Borders National has produced a very good field of runners, as indeed it should for the money, and in it the vote goes to Malek ahead of Lord Jack, Devil's Run, Barryscourt Lad and Ossmoses. Malek ran a blinder in the Rowland Meyrick last time and has really started to put things together this year. He should relish this test and has to be seriously considered. Course winner Lord Jack was a little disappointing in the Welsh National last time but, before that, had looked progressive and could still be well weighted. The 2000 Kerry National winner, Mac's Supreme, has been well placed by his handler to win his last two but the handicapper has had his say since then. Devil's Run is another that is on a roll and, given that he is a good jumper who stays well, he has to be on the shortlist of possible race winners. The 2003 Great Yorkshire Chase winner, Barryscourt Lad, will have blown away the injury-enforced cobwebs at Sandown last time and is potentially well-weighted. The lightly-raced Ossmoses is game and the handicapper has not reacted too badly to his latest win, his third from his last five starts so he looks set to go well too. Finally, Freetown might not be straightforward but he looked to be back to his best last time and, from a nine-pound higher mark, he could go well. However, we prefer others, and chief among these is Malek.
Freetown (IRE) 9-4fav In rear and pushed along, reminders 5th, headway 10th, went 2nd 4 out, ridden next, led last, driven out, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs (B) sft in Jan beating Jungle Jinks by 2l, 6 ran.
Malek (IRE) 10-1 Held up in rear, pushed along halfway, headway 11th, led after 5 out, ridden 2 out, blundered last, soon headed, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Truckers Tavern at Wetherby 3m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Dec.
Mac's Supreme (IRE) 4-1 Held up in rear, headway approaching 5 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, won at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Dec beating Auburn Spirit by 2l, 7 ran.
Devil's Run (IRE) 7-2jt-fav Mid-division, mistake 8th, close up next, led 13th, ridden clear after last, ran on, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Jan beating Supreme Breeze by 8l, 10 ran.
Ossmoses (IRE) 11-4fav Mid-division, headway 15th, stumbled 16th, ridden after 4 out, led after 2 out, held on gamely, won at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (C) in Feb beating Toulouse-Lautrec by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Red Rampage 4-1 Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, left 2nd last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 9l behind The Butterwick Kid at Newcastle 3m hts chs (H) hvy in Feb.
