held up behind in touch, blundered and unseated rider soon after 8th
tracked leader, led 5th to 11th, lost place before 4 out, no impression from next
held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, went 2nd next, 3 lengths down and ridden after 2 out, rallied approaching last, no extra when lost 2nd flat
soon detatched in rear, struggling halfway, driven and kept on from 2 out, never nearer
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced after 15th, soon beaten
led to 5th, tracked leader, led again 11th, headed after 4 out, outpaced next, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, headway 15th, led after 4 out, ridden 3 lengths clear between last, kept on until stride shortened final 50 yards, just held on
tracked leaders on outside, driven after 3 out, 5 lengths down in 3rd next, rallied approaching last, stayed on well to chase winner flat, just held
chased leaders, outpaced 15th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
NIKOLA won this 12 months ago off a 6lb higher mark and a return to familiar ground could inspire him to recapture his best. Nigel Twiston-Davies' stable is already firing in the winners. The bottom weight is just preferred to Marufo, fourth over C&D at the Grand National meeting in April and successful at Newbury before that, and Fabalu. The latter finished ahead of the selection in one of these veterans' handicaps at Ascot in April but the selection is better off going left-handed. Ouzbeck and Mumbles Head certainly aren't without a chance while Garleton is one of Maurice Barnes' stable stars and is accustomed to carrying big weights.
Big Fella Thanks 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division on inside, hampered by loose horse after 16th (water), headway to track leaders 23rd (valentine's), effort in 3rd and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, lost place and weakened flat, 7th of 40, 41l behind Ballabriggs (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '11.
Garleton (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Made all, jumped right last 4 fences, left clear from 4 out, ridden out, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in May beating Lord Villez (10-7) by 4l, 10 ran.
Mumbles Head (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, headway from 12th, every chance 4 out, no impression on winner after 3 out, mistake last, 3rd of 15, 24l behind Emmaslegend (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Jul.
Ouzbeck (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Prominent until 4th, behind 12th, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Emmaslegend (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Jul.
Forzy Origny (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Soon behind, struggling 10th, soon detatched, pulled up 12th, in a race won by Faasel (11-8) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Feb, 8 ran.
Fabalu (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Led until 2nd, prominent, reminder after 12th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, hit next, stayed on flat, closing on winner near finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind The Rainbow Hunter (11-5) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in May.
Marufo (IRE) 6-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, mistake 5th, hit 7th, went 2nd at 14th, led 14th, headed before 2 out, one pace and lost 3rd place after last, 4th of 14, 18l behind Saint Are (10-13) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr.
Dashing George (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Soon chasing leader and clear of rest, led 11th and maintained strong pace, went right last, kept on under pressure flat, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb '11 beating Leac An Scail (10-11) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Nikola (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Towards rear, struggling from 8th, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Always Waining (10-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 26 ran.
