held up, soon towards rear, no danger 10th, impeded last
held up, 16th from 4th, progress from before 2 out, chased leaders straight and no impression, kept on without threatening
chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, pulled up approaching 2 out
held up, soon towards rear, no danger 10th, pulled up before 2 out
took keen hold, soon mid-division, closed and effort before straight, no extra and one pace from before last
soon mid-division, not fluent 5th, impeded by loose horse after 8th, no extra from before straight and fell heavily last
towards rear, badly impeded 4th, headway from before 2 out, soon no impression and kept on without threatening
held up, 15th from 4th, slight mistake 10th, progress from before 2 out, chased leaders straight and no impression, kept on without threatening
soon mid-division, 10th from 4th, not fluent 2 out and no extra
held up, soon towards rear, no extra from 2 out
mid-division early, slow jump 2nd, towards rear from 4th, no danger 10th, pulled up before 2 out
soon mid-division, 9th from 4th, closed from before 2 out, 2nd approaching last, led run-in and stayed on well to assert closing stages
prominent, mistake 1st, slight mistake 3rd, 3rd and slight mistake last, one pace
soon chased leaders, 7th from 4th, no extra straight
prominent, not fluent 7th, slight mistake 8th, lost place and no impression when bad mistake and unseated rider last
not fluent 1st, tracked leaders, led from 3 out, headed run-in and not match winner, one pace
prominent, some slight mistakes, no extra straight
soon tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, not fluent 2 out, one pace straight
soon led and went on, reduced lead and headed from 3 out, no extra and kept on same pace from before last
mid-division, 11th from 4th, no danger and not fluent 10th, pulled up before 2 out
held up, bad mistake and unseated rider 4th
held up, soon towards rear, no danger 10th, kept on same pace without threatening after
The excellent Cause Of Causes reappears after his second in the Grand National and will no doubt be heading back to Cheltenham, where he's won three times and been second once, before another crack at the Aintree spectacular. He's owned by J P McManus who also has Hell's Kitchen engaged and Barry Geraghty takes the ride on the Kempton Boxing Day winner, who is on the upgrade. VIEUX MORVAN (NAP) had some strong form in France before making his debut in the Paddy Power in which he led until just before the last where he made a mistake and dropped back. That was a fine first effort for new connections and, as that was his first start since March, he should have come on enough to make a bold bid here. Polidam was a long way behind in that event though was up with the pace for most of the way while Sutton Manor is a progressive novice making his handicap debut.
Cause Of Causes (USA) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division, hampered 6th (bechers), headway 24th (2nd canal turn), effort when bumped 2 out, pressed winner last, soon ridden and every chance, one pace and held approaching elbow, 2nd of 40, 4 1/2l behind One For Arthur (10-11) at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Polidam (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Mid-division early, 14th at 7th, moderate 9th approaching 3 out, 7th into straight, no impression and impeded at last, kept on same pace, 11th of 28, 28 1/4l behind Anibale Fly (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Hell's Kitchen 9-2 (11-8) Made all, pushed along 2 out, ridden last, kept on, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Mister Whitaker (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Arbre De Vie (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and no impression before 2 out, no extra approaching last, weakened, last of 6, 23 1/2l behind Invitation Only (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Jett (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Jumped right early, soon raced in 2nd, left in lead 5th, soon joined, headed before 3 out where mistake and dropped to rear, no extra after, left 3rd from last, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Footpad (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Apache Stronghold (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, soon towards rear, kept on same pace without threatening from 2 out, 13th of 28, 30 1/4l behind Anibale Fly (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Colms Dream (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Soon chased leaders, no extra approaching final hurdle, eased straight, 21st of 29, dist behind Mine Now (11-0) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
General Principle (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division early, 13th at 7th, moderate 8th approaching 3 out, kept on same pace straight, 12th of 28, 29 3/4l behind Anibale Fly (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Sutton Manor (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Led, pressed before 4 out, ridden 3 out, disputed before 2 out, kept on under pressure, bumped slightly with rival last, edged ahead narrowly run-in, all out, won at Down Royal 2m 4f hvy in Dec beating Burgas (11-12) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Heron Heights (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 16th of 22, dist behind Balko Des Flos (10-10) at Galway 2m 7f hcp gd in Aug.
Kylecrue (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead 7th, headed next when mistake and unseated rider, at Navan 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Last Goodbye (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 8th 5 out, mistake next, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 12th of 21, dist behind Mala Beach (11-9) at Navan 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Uncle Danny (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) In rear, reminders after 4th, mistake at 5th, 11th after 7th, under pressure after 3 out, no extra, 9th of 15, dist behind De Benno (9-12) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Dromnea (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division early, 15th at 7th, fell 9th, at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Gwencily Berbas (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, soon ridden and no impression in 3rd, 3rd of 4, 9 1/4l behind Demi Sang (11-6) at Naas 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Vieux Morvan (FR) 40-1 (10-7) Soon led, clear of remainder with one rival from 9th, reduced lead and slight mistake 2 out, headed into straight, soon no extra, one pace, 5th of 28, 13 1/2l behind Anibale Fly (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m Yielding in Dec.
Magic Of Light (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Disputed lead, led before 4th, joined approaching straight, ridden and headed after 2 out, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Dinaria Des Obeaux (10-7) at Thurles 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Coeur Joyeux (IRE) 15-2 (10-2) Soon tracked leaders, 4th at 6th, improved to challenge straight, gained narrow lead after 2 out, kept on well run-in to just prevail, won at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Sumos Novios (11-8) by hd, 11 ran.
De Benno (IRE) 11-1 (9-12) Led, asserted before 3rd, reduced advantage at 8th, increased advantage after 4 out, pecked slightly 2 out, kept on well, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec beating Sumos Novios (11-7) by 5l, 15 ran.
Lake Takapuna (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 5th early, effort from before straight, kept on same pace from before last, 4th of 18, 5 3/4l behind Tisamystery (10-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Landofhopeandglory (IRE) 11-2jfav (10-11) Slight mistake 1st, raced in 10th early, slightly slow 4th, impeded 2 out, no extra when not fluent last, 12th of 18, 30 1/4l behind Tisamystery (10-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Goulane Davina (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Prominent in chasing group, no extra and one pace from before 2 out, 6th of 12, 15 3/4l behind Lite Duties (11-3) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
