tracked leader, mistake 3rd, blundered 15th, led 20th, stayed on strongly from 3 out
mid-division, mistake and dropped rear 10th, no danger after
in touch, pushed along approaching 16th, ridden and weakened after next
tracked leaders, mistake 14th, reminder next, weakened quickly and pulled up before 16th
led 2nd, mistake 15th, headed 20th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, reminder 8th, headway to track leaders 15th, weakened 5 out
towards rear, lost touch halfway
in touch, pushed along 5 out, ridden to chase winner 3 out, until no extra run-in
towards rear, brought down 3rd
towards rear, headway and in touch 19th, effort 5 out, no extra from 3 out
held up towards rear, hampered 3rd, weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 20th
led to 2nd, tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out to 3 out, stayed on to regain 2nd run-in
held up in mid-division, pushed along 16th, mistake next, headway under pressure 5 out, outpaced next
mistakes, towards rear, reminder 1st, blundered 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
held up towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 6th
held up in rear, badly hampered 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 15th
in touch, pushed along 15th, soon weakened
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 16th
Tipsey Mouse is very much on the upgrade and can land a competitive renewal of this prestigious staying contest, with Harlov, Lord Jack and Only Once just three of his main rivals. Sue Smith has a strong hand in the staying department and also runs Grand National fancy Ardent Scout, but Tipsey Mouse makes most appeal after his two Haydock victories this season. They came on the back of a sterling second at Hexham to Bear On Board who is also Aintree-bound, and the gameness shown in mastering Wain Mountain in unsuitably soft going last time will stand him in good stead here. He looks ready for the step up in trip and will be galloping on relentlessly when some have cried enough. Harlov proved he stays when successful at Catterick last time and has solid credentials, while Lord Jack put in an eyecatching effort at Ayr, eventually left in third place after the fall of Thosewerethedays at the last fence. Luzcadou finished a place ahead of him that day but Lord Jack will be that bit fitter. Point-to-point winner Only Once holds an entry in the Grand National, and shaped well on his return over hurdles at Ayr last week. A novice chase winner last term, he too can take a hand in proceedings. Topweights do not win the Eider normally, so Tyneandthyneagain has it to do, and Fasgo has a tendency to find one too good. Martin Pipe sends up a trio of contenders, the best of whom may be Magical Bailiwick, but in a fascinating contest we return to Royal Athlete's full-brother Tipsey Mouse to enhance his already growing reputation.
