mid-division, slight mistakes 5th and 11th, went 3rd after next, pushed along to challenge approaching 2 out where mistake, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, 4th halfway, mistake 6 out, pushed along and no impression in 3rd before 2 out, no extra approaching last
led, joined at 3rd and headed 6th, remained prominent and disputed again 6 out, pushed along and headed before 4 out, no impression and dropped to 5th 2 out, no extra
always prominent, ran freely, headway to dispute 3rd and led from 6th, joined 6 out, led again before 4 out, strongly pressed and mistake 2 out, ridden and asserted approaching last, kept on well under pressure run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, lost place 6 out, still in touch when pulled up quickly after next
towards rear, mistake and almost unseated rider 8th, some headway after 4 out, no impression in 6th before 2 out, no extra
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression in rear after 5 out, no extra
towards rear, slight mistake 9th, pushed along after 4 out and no impression in 6th after next, some headway on inner early straight and moderate 3rd approaching last, kept on one pace
This has the makings of the race of the meeting. Bellshill won this last year and is unbeaten in three starts on the course. He once again failed to shine at Cheltenham when pulled up in the Gold Cup and he's never won there but this is his track and he's no forlorn hope to beat his illustrious stable companions Al Boum Photo and KEMBOY. The former ran out under unusual circumstances here a year ago but has put his early jumping problems behind and stormed to victory in the Gold Cup from a top-notch field. However, third-placed Bristol De Mai was beaten further at Aintree by Kemboy than at Cheltenham and the latter is looking every inch a champion so can put his first-fence mishap in the Gold Cup behind him and land his biggest prize to date. Definitly Red was brought down at the 10th at Cheltenham but his overall form gives him plenty to find while Monalee, who had beaten Al Boum Photo as a novice last year, found 2m4f on the short side behind Frodon in the Ryanair.
Al Boum Photo (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, steady headway from 8th, hampered 10th, not fluent 13th, close 3rd 19th, not much room bend before 2 out, soon came through to lead, clear from last, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gs in Mar beating Anibale Fly (11-10) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Bellshill (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, blundered badly and lost place 5th, mistake 7th and 8th, pulled up before 9th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gs in Mar.
Definitly Red (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Prominent, brought down 10th, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) gs in Mar.
Kemboy (FR) 9-4fav (11-7) Disputed lead until led 4th, made rest and tended to jump slightly right, going well when pressed 2 out, drew readily clear approaching last, ridden and asserted further clear flat, ran on, impressive, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr beating Clan Des Obeaux (11-7) by 9l, 6 ran.
Monalee (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, driven and effort before 2 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, no impression in 4th from last, 4th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Frodon (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.
Snow Falcon (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) Waited with, 5th after 4th, mistake 7th, closer in 3rd before straight, slight mistake 3 out, one pace from before 2 out, 4th of 6, 22 1/4l behind Jett (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders to 6th, mid-division, driven to chase clear leaders after 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to take 2nd final 120 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 27, 6l behind Cadmium (11-2) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
The Storyteller (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Disputed lead, bumped with rival 2nd, headed after 4th, remained prominent, slight mistake 4 out, challenged next, one pace from before last, 2nd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Jett (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
