chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, hung left and weakened before next
well off the pace in last pair, rapid headway out wide chasing leaders 7th, weakened just as rapidly after next, behind soon after, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division out wide, headway chasing leaders 7th, weakened turning in, tailed off
led, pushed along and headed home turn, lost 2nd before 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
pushed along and struggling after 4 out, off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off
always towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 8th, never a factor, tailed off
headway chasing leaders 3rd, weakened between last two
mid-division, jumped slowly and pushed along 6th, outpaced turning in, modest headway run-in
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 4 out, hung left before 2 out, plugged on in well held 3rd between last two
off the pace in rear, closer out wide in mid-division after 4 out, soon pushed along and outpaced, plugged on
raced on inside, held up and behind, slipped on bend turning in, headway soon after, stayed on under pressure run-in, never going pace to get involved
soon chasing leader, jumped slowly 5th, led home turn, went right 2 out, strongly pressed last, headed final 100 yards, kept on
mid-division, headway out wide chasing leaders 4 out, weakened quickly turning in, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd 2 out, ridden between last two, edged left under pressure and stayed on to lead final 100 yards
Flemcara is 5lb lower than when a close second in this race 12 months ago but struggles to get his head in front nowadays and was behind Didtheyleaveuoutto on his return to action. The well-treated PADLEYOUROWNCANOE was well backed at Cheltenham on his reappearance but fell on the final circuit when just starting to make ground, bringing down favourite Shearer. This is competitive but the eight-year-old might be worth another chance ahead of Aintree third Ask A Honey Bee and The King’s Steal A March, who has won at Exeter and Worcester this year. Copper Coin is also worth a second look but Press Your Luck may be having a confidence-booster.
Shearer (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Towards rear of mid-division when badly hampered and unseated rider 7th, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Press Your Luck (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Jumped left at times, led, mistake and headed 10th, soon led again, headed, weakened quickly and pulled up before 4 out, at Exeter 3m (2) gd in Nov.
Fidux (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Off the pace in mid-division, weakened 19th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Flemcara (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Led, slowed into 2nd, headed 3 out, chased leader until before next, ridden and weakened between last two, 4th of 7, 20 1/2l behind Champagne Court (11-3) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Didtheyleaveuoutto (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Waited with in rear, good headway out wide before 3 out, chased leaders, before 2 out, ridden out wide between last two, weakened soon after, 3rd of 7, 8 1/2l behind Champagne Court (11-3) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Pileon (IRE) 18-1 (12-1) Rear of mid-division, towards rear 2nd, mistake next, pushed along 4th, behind 6th, rallied back straight final time, lost place before 4 out, soon well held, 8th of 11, dist behind Masters Legacy (12-0) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Copper Coin 15-8jfav (11-7) Chased leader from 1st, challenged 3 out, led before 2 out, headed just after last, held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Pounding Poet (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Skandiburg (FR) 40-1 (11-1) In touch, lost place before 6th, well behind from 3 out, 8th of 15, dist behind Shoot First (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Barbados Buck's (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along before 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 11, dist behind Vive Le Roi (10-1) at Newbury 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Ask A Honey Bee (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway on outside from 8th, went 2nd and ridden after 2 out, edged left and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Honor Grey (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Time To Tinker (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Midfield, pushed along 3 out, faded before next, last of 6, 26l behind Umbrigado (12-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Steal A March 7-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd after 3rd until not fluent 7th, 2nd again before next, led before 2 out, ridden out flat, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jun beating Shantou Express (11-13) by 2l, 7 ran.
Padleyourowncanoe 7-2 (10-7) Held up towards rear, closer out wide in mid-division at 3rd, fell 7th, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Abuffalosoldier (IRE) 14-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, lost position before 2 out, kept on run-in and took remote 3rd, 3rd of 8, 13 1/2l behind Flash The Steel (12-0) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
