led, headed 3 out, one pace in 5th when left 4th next, no chance with leaders before last
held up in touch, hit 10th, driven to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and one pace when left 3rd next, no impression before last
in touch on outside, joined leaders 9th, lost place 4 out, behind from next
tracked leaders, hit 5 out, challenged 3 out, every chance when left in narrow lead next, ridden and kept on flat
held up in touch on inside, headway to lead 3 out, narrow advantage when fell next
tracked leader, challenged 4 out to next, no impression from 2 out
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, every chance when left 2nd next, soon ridden, kept on, held towards finish
held up in rear, headway and in touch on outside 4 out, outpaced next, no impression from 2 out
Nonrunner
REPRESENTINGCELTIC won three Polytrack bumpers at the turn of the year before falling when travelling well at Newbury. He came from a long way back when narrowly beaten over 2m4f at Stratford last time and, with this trip certain to suit, he can gain a first success over fences. Merrion Square doesn't look the most natural of jumpers and blundered his way round Ludlow but Paul Nicholls will have put plenty of work into him and he's on a fair mark. Flaming Gorge had been running in hunter chases before beating three rivals in a novices' handicap at Market Rasen and though an 8lb rise looks a bit harsh he's an improving type who should go well. Storm Survivor was in good form before pulling up in a Listed handicap at Aintree but looks a hard ride.
Flaming Gorge (IRE) 15-8 (11-12) Made all, jumped well, driven clear before last, ran on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr beating Be My Deputy (11-9) by 11l, 4 ran.
Storm Survivor (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Mid-division, pushed along and chased leaders 3rd, pushed along after 11th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Battle Group (10-9) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Pentiffic (NZ) 66-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, with leader 7th, weakened 19th, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Godsmejudge (11-3) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 24 ran.
Merrion Square (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, hit next, blundered and lost place 10th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Cootehill (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar, 8 ran.
Pantxoa (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leading trio, went 3rd at 4th, left close 2nd 3 out until ridden approaching next, 3rd and held when blundered last, weakened flat, almost snatched 3rd, 4th of 8, 7l behind Victor Leudorum (10-12) at Ascot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Apr.
Sadler's Star (GER) 11-1 (11-11) Prominent, mistake 11th, lost place next, well beaten 14th, 7th of 8, well behind Handsome Buddy (9-9) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Representingceltic (IRE) 7-4fav (10-4) Towards rear, headway 6th, chased leaders before 11th, pushed along 13th, went 2nd before last, switched left last 50 yards , kept on towards finish, 3rd of 6, hd behind Gentleman Anshan (11-7) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Chasers Chance (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Held up, ridden and struggling from 11th, 5th of 8, 35l behind The Black Baron (10-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Triangular (USA) 8-1 (11-11) Raced wide, held up in last pair, outpaced 4 out, struggling when mistake 3 out, soon driven, kept on flat, 5th of 8, 14l behind Midnight Sail (11-11) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
