led until 6th, chased leader until 12th, chased leaders, went 2nd again before the last, no chance with easy winner
chased leaders, mistakes 3rd and 8th, lost place 11th (water), behind 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
chased leader, led 6th until 4 out, lost 2nd soon after, weakened, poor 5th when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, last and struggling 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 16th, mistake 3 out, behind and pulled up before next
held up in last pair, headway 11th, chased leading pair 14th, went 2nd after 4 out, no impression when dropped to 3rd before last
raced wide in mid-division, hit 5th, headway chasing leaders before 11th, went 2nd 12th, led 4 out, clear next, easily
mistake 1st, in rear, plugged on in 4th and no impression after 3 out
NonRunner
Minella On Line returns from a break but would have claims on his second at Doncaster in December though, like course and distance winner Calin Du Brizais, is a bit of an in-and-out performer. Thumb Stone Blues has finished second three times over fences and is tried in a visor after yet another lay-off. Aubusson was certainly in the mood at Ludlow a couple of weeks ago and retains plenty of ability while Chic Name won at Newbury before running well in the Scottish Grand National. GARDINERS HILL is much-improved and probably still on a fair mark so could be capable of springing a surprise from the foot of the weights.
Aubusson (FR) 3-1 (12-2) Made all, pressed from 4 out, stayed on gamely, won at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Vendredi Trois (11-6) by 1l, 6 ran.
Thumb Stone Blues (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Led, ridden after 12th, not fluent 2 out, headed last, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Brave Eagle (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Jul.
Chic Name (FR) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, reminders after 19th, driven to chase leaders after 5 out, never pace to challenge, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 23, 29 1/4l behind Takingrisks (10-1) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Perform (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Mid-division, reminders after 6th, headway chasing leaders 10th, weakened 17th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Calin Du Brizais (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, hit 9th, went 2nd 3 out, challenged after winner blundered 2 out, held last, not much room on rail and switched right run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Primal Focus (10-11) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Vice Et Vertu (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway and in touch on outside before 11th, lost place next, soon behind, plugged on from 2 out, never a threat, 5th of 11, 21 1/4l behind Coningsby (11-8) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
You Say What (IRE) 4-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway before 14th, hit next, close up last, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind One Of Us (11-1) at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Gardiners Hill (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Held up behind, headway on outside 3 out, chased winner turning in, soon ridden, readily outpaced before last, no chance after, 2nd of 7, 10l behind The Welsh Paddies (10-12) at Stratford 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Minella On Line (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Towards rear, pushed along 13th, headway on outside approaching 15th, went 2nd flat, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Treackle Tart (11-7) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
