mid-division, hampered and bumped 13th, driven along next, weakened 16th, pulled up before 2 out
in rear when unseated rider 3rd
held up towards rear, mistakes, headway 15th, ridden to chase leaders 5 out, one pace
always prominent, led 14th, headed 20th, led again 3 out, all out and just held on
in touch, driven along 19th, mistake next, pulled up 4 out, dismounted
mid-division, headway 15th, ridden to chase leader 4 out, chased winner last, rallied after last, just denied
tracked leaders until weakened 14th
mid-division, stayed on from 5 out
in touch, took closer order 15th, ridden to chase leader 3 out, no impression
never a factor
led 1st, stayed prominent, ridden to lead 5 out, headed approaching 3 out, soon one pace
in rear, stayed on from 4 out
prominent until ridden and weakened 5 out
mistakes in mid-division, driven along 5 out, ridden when mistake 4 out, soon beaten
led 2nd, headed approaching 14th, weakened 18th, pulled up 3 out, dismounted
mid-division, mistake 4th and 16th, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out
rear, ridden after 8th, blundered and lost touch 14th
held up in rear, hampered 13th and rider lost iron, ridden from 5 out, stayed on until weakened 2 out
Shardam has been well supported this week for Sandown's feature race and can reward that faith by getting the better of Rule Supreme, Puntal and Kings Mistral. The selection had looked very progressive before lining up for the Martell Cognac Grand National last time, but fell early on in that race. As such, he will not have taken too much out of himself, and a very good second to Fork Lightning at the Cheltenham Festival the time before reads as very decent form. Enough, in our eyes, to make him worthy of the nomination in this great race. Last year's Scottish National runner-up Stormez - he was sixth in the race last Saturday this time around - has proven he can go well at this time of year, and warrants respect, as does Whats Up Boys, although he has yet to prove that he has fully recovered from an injury he sustained around 18 months ago. The Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner Rule Supreme adds a lot of intrigue to the race, as does the game novice Puntal, who ran so well for a long way in the Grand National. Haut Cercy is another to consider as, although he ran poorly when fancied at Cheltenham last time, he comes here fresher than most. The 2002 winner of this race, Bounce Back, is certainly reasonably handicapped if he is back to his best and Kings Mistral, for whom Barry Geraghty has been booked, certainly loves it here and is another that ought to go well. Overall, then, it is a fascinating contest and one in which we opt for Shardam.
