towards rear, hampered 3rd and 5th, weakened and pulled up before 6 out (2nd valentines)
tracked leaders on inside, headway when left in lead 5 out, ridden after 2 out, 3 lengths clear approaching elbow, held on towards finish
mid-division, fell 5th
in touch on outside, lost place 21st, ridden and weakened before 2 out
blundered 1st, behind, ridden after 3 out, never near leaders, weakened next
mid-division on outside when fell heavily 8th (canal turn)
in touch, headway when left tracking winner 5 out, ridden after 2 out, one pace when lost 2nd approaching last, soon hung left and no impression, dropped to 5th final 50 yards
held up behind, headway into mid-division 13th, chased leaders after 3 out, weakened last
mid-division, brought down 8th (canal turn)
chased leaders to 6th (bechers), mid-division, weakened 3 out
with leader, led 4th, headed briefly after 16th (water), headed when hit 18th, lost place 22nd (2nd bechers), tailed off when pulled up after 6 out (2nd valentines)
never better than mid-division, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never near leaders, weakened last
held up behind, headway into mid-division 19th, chased leaders 3 out, outpaced next, weakening when mistake last
in touch, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
mid-division, headway and prominent 17th, challenged 23rd (2nd foinavon), led 6 out (2nd valentines), fell next
behind, headway under pressure 3 out, ridden next, kept on, never reached leaders
mid-division, in touch 9th (valentines), weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
mid-division when hampered and unseated rider 1st
held up behind, hampered 6th (bechers), headway 6 out (2nd valentines), chased leaders 3 out, ridden after last, went 3rd approaching elbow, kept on, not reach front pair
mid-division, blundered badly 3rd, not recover, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway 9th (valentines), led 18th to 22nd (2nd bechers), lost place 6 out (2nd valentines), fell next
tracked leaders, hit 14th, blundered 22nd (2nd bechers), tracked leading pair 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, soon ridden, 3 lengths down approaching elbow, kept on, held towards finish
prominent on outside, hit 4th, lost place and reminders before 22nd (2nd bechers), soon behind, pulled up before 6 out (2nd valentines)
held up behind, late headway before 2 out, kept on same pace, never nearer
in touch, tracked leaders 3 out, one pace, next, weakened last
blundered 1st, led to 4th, remained prominent until lost place after 12th, behind 6 out (2nd valentines), pulled up after 3 out
always behind, struggling 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 6 out (2nd valentines)
never better than mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
in touch, fell 1st
towards rear, headway into mid-division after 2 out, kept on same pace, never nearer
prominent, driven and outpaced when fell 3 out
mid-division, hampered 8th (canal turn), weakened after 3 out
mid-division, fell 6th (bechers)
in touch, blundered 7th (foinavon), dropped to mid-division 12th, weakened and pulled up before 18th
in touch, dropped to mid-division 8th (canal turn), hit 20th, chased leaders under pressure after 3 out, ridden after last, stayed on to take 4th final 50 yards, no impression
prominent, led briefly after 16th (water), led 22nd (2nd bechers), headed 6 out (2nd valentines), outpaced 3 out, weakened flat
in touch on outside, fell 1st
in touch, chased leaders after 3 out, ridden before next, kept on same pace from last, no impression
Nonrunner
A P McCoy bids to round off an illustrious career with a victory on Shutthefrontdoor and last year's Irish National winner goes on a lengthy short-list, even though he hasn't raced since making a winning reappearance at Carlisle in the autumn. However, pure weight of money means he is likely to be poor value in a high-class renewal. Lord Windermere won last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup but was pulled up in this year's renewal. Many Clouds finished sixth in that contest but ideally needs a softer surface. Cross-country specialist Balthazar King is 5lb better off than when second to Pineau Du Re 12 months ago and could turn the tables. Alvarado was a fast-finishing fourth last year and no jockey has a better recent record in this race than Paul Moloney. He could steer Fergal O'Brien's chestnut into a place again while in-form Soll is another who catches the eye near the foot of the handicap. Last year's sixth Chance Du Roy comes alive over these big fences, as does Rebel Rebellion. The latter is one of four Paul Nicholls runners with Mon Parrain possibly better treated than stablemates Rocky Creek, winner of the BetBright Chase in February, and Unioniste. Cause Of Causes won the four-miler at Cheltenham and looks fairly treated and Paul Carberry rides that one while sister Nina, who won Thursday's Fox Hunters, partners the formerly top-class First Lieutenant, who is normally a sound jumper. Saint Are has won twice on the Mildmay course here and Night In Milan, Wyck Hill, Gas Line Boy and Royale Knight are all stout stayers while Godsmejudge and Al Co have both won the Scottish National and Monbeg Dude took the Welsh equivalent a couple of years ago. The Druid's Nephew looked a step ahead of the handicapper when scoring with some authority at Cheltenham and is another who has been well backed but we fancy PORTRAIT KING to run a big race at much more attractive odds. A former winner of the Eider at Newcastle, he was second over 3m4f at Punchestown in February and had a nice confidence-booster over hurdles last month. Davy Condon can afford to take his time on the grey as he knows his mount will stay every inch of the trip and he's never looked like falling over fences so far.
Lord Windermere (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Soon under pressure in rear, lost touch 10th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Coneygree (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) sft in Mar, 16 ran.
Many Clouds (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, chased leaders on outside 4 out, soon outpaced, ridden and no impression from after next, 6th of 16, 25l behind Coneygree (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) sft in Mar.
Unioniste (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, awkward 12th, outpaced and dropped to rear 14th, rallied under pressure before 2 out, went modest 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Coneygree (11-5) at Newbury 3m chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Rocky Creek (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Raced wide, chased leader until before 7th, 2nd again 9th until next, led approaching 12th until next, led again 4 out, clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Feb beating Le Reve (11-3) by 6l, 14 ran.
First Lieutenant (IRE) 9-10fav (11-0) Led, clear early, pushed along from 3 out, pressed 2 out and not fluent, soon headed and no impression in 3rd when switched left between last 2, one pace, 3rd of 4, 5l behind Rolly Baby (11-0) at Thurles 3m hdl in Mar.
Balthazar King (IRE) 4-7fav (11-8) In touch led 2nd to 4th, mistake next, led again 15th, mistake 19th, headed 6 out, in touch, regained lead 3 out, ridden last, stayed on gamely flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gd in Nov beating Uncle Junior (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Shutthefrontdoor (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, raced wide before 10th, went 3rd before 3 out, led after 2 out, soon clear, won at Carlisle 3m grad ch (2) sft in Nov beating Vintage Star (11-10) by 8l, 5 ran.
Pineau De Re (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division, outpaced 2 out, never near leaders, 11th of 23, 20l behind Call The Cops (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Ballycasey (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, mistake when struggling 11th, well behind next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Uxizandre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Spring Heeled (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, close 3rd 4 out, ridden after next, dropped to 4th after 2 out, no impression, 4th of 5, 19l behind Roi Du Mee (11-10) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd or 8th, challenged 4 out, led next, edged right before last, 3 lengths clear flat, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Mar beating Pepite Rose (11-8) by 1l, 10 ran.
Dolatulo (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Behind, outpaced before 2 out, weakened soon after, 19th of 23, 38l behind Call The Cops (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Mon Parrain (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outside, closed 3rd, ridden and one pace in 4th 4 out, no extra next, 5th of 12, 26l behind Wayward Prince (10-2) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Feb.
Night In Milan (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, hampered 1st, headway 5th, close up next, left 2nd before 4 out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd last, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Wayward Prince (10-2) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Feb.
Rubi Light (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, led 8th, ridden and headed briefly approaching last, led last and kept on well run-in, won at Wexford 2m 3f hcp chs (10yo+) sft in Mar beating He'llberemembered (10-11) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
The Druids Nephew (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) In touch, headway to challenge 3 out, led next, soon clear, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar beating Grand Jesture (10-11) by 4l, 24 ran.
Cause Of Causes (USA) 8-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 3 out (usual 4 out), led bypassing omitted last, edged left towards finish, stayed on, driven out, won at Cheltenham 4m Listed ch (1) gs in Mar beating Broadway Buffalo (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Godsmejudge (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Always in rear, ridden 8th, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Binge Drinker (11-10) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Al Co (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Close up, chased winner 4 out until next, soon ridden, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Binge Drinker (11-10) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Monbeg Dude (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Always behind, struggling from 13th, 14th of 24, 25l behind The Druids Nephew (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Corrin Wood (IRE) 5-1fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led 7th, headed before 10th, weakened before 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Samstown (10-5) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
The Rainbow Hunter 33-1 (11-1) Last pair, well behind and struggling 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Rocky Creek (11-11) at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
Saint Are (FR) 9-4 (11-7) Prominent, hit 1st, led 8th, not fluent 4 out, left clear before next, easily, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Feb beating Everaard (10-9) by 7l, 7 ran.
Across The Bay (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, driven 5 out, lost place when hampered and brought down after next, in a race won by The Package (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f amat hcap ch (2) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Tranquil Sea (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Towards rear, outpaced 5 out, stayed on into mid-division from 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 12, 23l behind Soll (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcap ch (2) gs in Feb.
Oscar Time (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Held up towards rear, blundered 1st, headway 9th, one pace before 2 out, lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 8, 16l behind Aachen (10-2) at Doncaster 3m hcap ch (2) gs in Feb.
Bob Ford (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Soon led, headed 2nd, tracked leaders, lost place after 12th, mistake next, weakened 18th, hampered 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Goonyella (10-12) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) sft in Mar, 16 ran.
Super Duty (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Led until 5th, pushed along before 10th, lost place next, weakened 5 out, 7th of 12, 40l behind Wayward Prince (10-2) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Feb.
Wyck Hill (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, fell 6th', in a race won by Milborough (10-8) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Feb, 18 ran.
Gas Line Boy (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Close up, mistake 6th, led 10th, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, blundered last, lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 12, 20l behind Lie Forrit (11-6) at Haydock 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Feb.
Chance Du Roy (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, behind 14th, stayed on from 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 14, 15l behind Soll (10-8) at Exeter 3m hcap ch (2) gs in Feb.
Portrait King (IRE) tracked leaders, 3rd at 7th, close up 11th, on terms 2 out, headed between last 2, kept on without matching winner run-in
Owega Star (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Chased leaders early, held up in 6th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, 6th of 8, 32l behind Miss Xian (9-10) at Naas 3m hcap ch sft in Mar.
River Choice (FR) (10-8) 4th of 11, 12l behind Rasique (10-7) at Fontainebleau(FR) 2m 3f hdl sft in Feb.
Court By Surprise (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Towards rear, blundered 2nd, headway 17th, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner last, won at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Alvarado (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Behind, outpaced from 6 out, 5th of 8, 18l behind Aachen (10-2) at Doncaster 3m hcap ch (2) gs in Feb.
Soll 11-2 (11-4) Always prominent, mistake 5 out, led narrowly before next, ridden 2 lengths clear before last, kept on under pressure flat, held on towards finish, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcap ch (2) gs in Feb beating Relax (10-11) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Ely Brown (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before last, in a race won by Join The Clan (10-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Royale Knight 6-1 (11-12) Chased leader, hit 6th, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, rallied before the last, kept on run-in, went 2nd post, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Forgivienne (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
Carlito Brigante (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced from 6 out, stayed on from last to take 3rd place towards finish, 3rd of 6, 18l behind Runswick Royal (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f lst chs (1) gs in Feb.
