chased leaders, jumped slow 13th, led narrowle when fell 16th
close up when unseated 2nd
in touch, reminders approaching 8th, took closer order 12th, in 3rd when fell 16th
held up, headway 12th, led last, soon ridden, caught post
chased leaders, hit 2nd and 4th, hampered 8th, lost place next, headway approaching 5 out, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
close up, left in lead 2nd, mistake 4th headed 9th, hit 14th, not much room and unseated 15th
always behind, hampered 2nd, blundered 6th, behind when pulled up before 16th
mid-division, ridden 7th, behind from 10th, carried out by loose horse before 16th
chased leaders, weakened 10th, tailed off
always behind, pulled up before 8th
mid-division, headway 8th, led next, headed briefly 16th, ridden and headed last, rallied flat, led post
behind, mistake 9th, unseated next
behind, losing touch when pulled up before 16th
chased leaders, hampered 2nd, lost place 8th, behind when unseated 10th
Ardent Scout is 9lbs higher than when successful in this event 12 months ago and, although he out in a highly satisfactory return at Wetherby recently, Sue Smith's gelding faces no easy task and preference is for Amberleigh House, who gets the verdict over Maximize. The last mentioned ran well in the Grand National last term until weakening on the final circuit and eventually falling and has since joined Martin Pipe from Henrietta Knight. Race fit after two starts, he has to be respected but the nine-year-old would not want any further rain and a safer option looks to be Amberleigh House. Ginger McCain's gelding won this in 2001 and again showed his liking for the course when third to Monty's Pass in the National last term. The 11-year-old should be spot on after a couple of runs and gets the vote. Bindaree has struggled against the handicapper since his Grand National success and, while the return to the scene of his greatest triumph may help, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding has plenty of weight and looks opposable, even with his stable in such good form. Moor Lane is capable but inconsistent and of more interest could be Jonjo O'Neill's Clan Royal, who can go well when fresh but is not certain to stay. Stablemate Carbury Cross is another worthy of a mention but Amberleigh House has plenty of ticks in the right boxes and gets the nod.
