held up behind, struggling 5 out, never dangerous, tailed off
mid-division, in touch 9th, went 2nd at 13th, squeezed through between rivals to lead approaching 4 out, ridden 2 out, hard pressed flat, held on gamely towards finish
in touch on outside, mistake 5th, mistake and reminder 9th, challenged on outside before 4 out, switched inside and ridden approaching 2 out, switched right and every chance last, kept on flat, just held
held up behind, outpaced 5 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders to 4th, mid-division, weakened 5 out, soon pulled up
held up behind, blundered 10th, mistake next, outpaced 5 out, never dangerous, tailed off
tracked leaders, lost place 9th, mistake 13th, outpaced before 4 out, weakened next
led to 4th, tracked leader, led again 7th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, soon one pace, 3rd and held when not fluent 2 out
Ultimate easily won a handicap on the Flat at Catterick last month before creating a real shock when landing a Listed handicap over fences at Wetherby. This longer trip could be a problem however. Mister Marker, third in the Scottish National in April, returned to action at Carlisle where he ran a superb race under a huge weight to get within a couple of lengths of Global Power. He's an obvious contender while Gordon Elliott wouldn't be sending Tarquinius from Ireland without good reason and if the ground turns very soft he would have to be considered. VINTAGE STAR is only just out of the novice stage and he made mistakes when scoring at Carlisle earlier this month but he's a very progressive type on a fair mark for his handicap debut and can take this for the Grand National winning team. The 2011 winner Hey Big Spender faces a tougher task despite being lower in the weights.
Master Of The Hall (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Prominent, went 2nd before 2nd, led 13th, headed after 4 out, still close 4th when fell next, in a race won by Harry Topper (11-6) at Wetherby 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs, 7 ran.
Ultimate 25-1 (11-2) Led, jumped left 1st, headed 3rd, led again 4th, made rest, kept on well from last, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f Listed Handicap Chase (0-155) (4yo+) (1) gs beating Humbie (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Jumped left and bumped 1st, soon held up in 4th, went 3rd 11th, challenged 13th, led after 3 out, joined 2 out, soon headed, no extra flat, 4th of 7, 7l behind Jamsie Hall (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Vintage Star (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed 8th, blundered 5 out, led again 4 out, mistake last, kept on, won at Carlisle 3m grad ch (2) hvy beating Buddy Bolero (11-10) by nk, 5 ran.
Mr Moss (IRE) 18-1 (11-11) Held up behind in touch, close up when mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on same pace under pressure from next, never on terms, 5th of 10, 16l behind Handy Andy (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd.
Mister Marker (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Always prominent, ridden and every chance approaching last, edged left flat, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Global Power (11-1) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Tarquinius (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Mid-division and 11th halfway, pushed along early straight and no impression in 11th when mistake last, 13th of 22, 34l behind Pint Of Porter (9-10) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109.
Netminder (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, hampered 8th, tailed off before 12th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Green Flag (11-4) at Kelso 2m 7f nov chs (4) gs in Oct, 10 ran.
Baile Anrai (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Close up, ridden 3 out, plugged on same pace, 3rd of 7, 19l behind Hidden Identity (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) sft.
