mid-division, headway 12th, outpaced after 15th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish
held up, closed on inside 6th, 2nd before next, led 10th, clear last, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway from 15th, one pace and beaten from 4 out
held up, pecked 6th, closed 11th, not fluent next, 3rd and beaten last, weakened flat
chased leaders, led 6th, headed 10th, every chance when mistake 4 out, blundered next, soon weakened
not that fluent, in touch on outside 2nd, blundered 9th, mistake 12th, struggling 14th
led until after 1st, chased leaders, lost place before 3rd, well beaten 15th, pulled up before 4 out
virtually refused to race and pulled up after 1st
not fluent, led after 1st until slow 2nd, mistake and lost place 8th, headway before 11th, mistake 13th, struggling 14th, behind after next, pulled up before 4 out
led 2nd, headed 6th, challenged 4 out, no impression on winner from last
Lake View Lad is 8lb higher than when winning this last year but he should be all the better for his run in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle, though has a lot of ground to make up on TOP VILLE BEN and Jonniesofa. Phil Kirby’s front-runner just got outstayed at Gosforth Park but may take some pegging back around here. Rocco is still a novice but should be thereabouts if his jumping stands up while Bennys King won over an extended 2m6f at Newbury, though will have his stamina tested here. Wakanda has finished second twice in this and was fourth last year but hasn’t raced since pulled up at Haydock in February.
Lake View Lad (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch on outside, outpaced after 5 out, ridden after next, never on terms, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 22 3/4l behind Takingrisks (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Top Ville Ben (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Led, clear 3 out, ridden between last 2, tired and reduced advantage flat, headed near finish, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Takingrisks (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Wakanda (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division, mistake 9th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up 16th, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Bennys King (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 7th (water), led before 13th, made rest, hit 4 out, clear last, driven and stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Sametegal (11-4) by 6l, 16 ran.
Jonniesofa (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden after 4 out, one pace and no impression next, lost 2nd last, kept on flat, no extra closing stages, 4th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Takingrisks (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Guitar Pete (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, driven and lost place after 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened on long run before 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 17, 32 1/2l behind Happy Diva (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
I Just Know (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) In touch, weakened quickly approaching 9th, pulled up next, at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Lachlan Bridge (GER) 100-1 (10-7) Refused to race, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Rocco (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) With leaders, every chance 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Pistol Whipped (11-5) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Didero Vallis (FR) 7-1 (10-8) Prominent, not fluent 3 out, close up 2 out, faded and lost after elbow, 5th of 14, 24l behind Hogan's Height (10-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
