started slowly, in rear, went modest 6th run-in, never on terms
chased leaders, mistake 6th, pushed along after 3 out, 4th when blundered and weakened next
always towards rear, never involved, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, 2nd approaching 10th, hit 3 out, not clear run and switched right to inside approaching 2 out, no extra last
chased leaders, led 2nd, clear next, headed 9th, weakened rapidly next, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, steady headway 7th, 3rd approaching 2 out, ridden and stayed on to lead just before last, stayed on strongly run-in
mid-division, headway on outside 6th, chased leaders 9th, blundered 3 out, plugged on from next
jumped left at times, towards rear, went left 4th, pulled up before 8th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 10th, went modest 4th after 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along before 9th, weakened before 4 out
led until 2nd, chased clear leader, led again 9th, went left 2 out, headed just before the last, one pace run-in
chased leaders on inside, lost place 5th, struggling when mistake 8th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Ulck Du Lin won this last year when co-favourite Bellenos was only fourth after making jumping errors. But Paul Nicholls' charge is 15lb higher now, though did win easily at Wincanton in April when last seen. Sgt Reckless, a smart hurdler, won twice in his first season over fences but the handicapper probably hasn't done him any favours. Royal Regatta also has enough weight but PEARLS LEGEND has only one below him in the handicap, despite winning twice at Sandown in the spring. He is weighted to reverse Aintree running in April with Surf And Turf and should again finish ahead of Bellenos and Baby Mix so it's worth taking the risk that he's fully wound-up for his reappearance. Bullet Street is best on sharp tracks but Minella Definitely could stay on into a place if they go off too quickly.
Royal Regatta (IRE) 8-1fav (11-3) Held up, blundered badly 7th, hit next, soon well behind, pulled up before 4 out, at Aintree 2m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Sgt Reckless 9-2 (9-9) In rear, ridden and headway on outer 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Illusive (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Sep.
Surf And Turf (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and weakened between last 2, 8th of 10, 30l behind Sound Investment (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Baby Mix (FR) 5-1fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway 9th, bumped next, mistake and went 2nd 2 out, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Brave Spartacus (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Ulck Du Lin (FR) 6-5fav (11-12) Made all, clear before last, kept on strongly, won at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gf in Apr beating Miss Tenacious (11-1) by 13l, 3 ran.
Cold March (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off from 8th, 10th of 12, 34 1/4l behind Boondooma (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Bellenos (FR) 7-2fav (10-10) Held up in touch, every chance 3 out and not fluent, one pace before last, 5th of 7, 12 1/4l behind Claret Cloak (11-12) at Kempton 2m hcp (2) gd in May.
Bullet Street (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, challenge 2 out, ridden to lead flat, ran on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in May beating My Brother Sylvest (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 10 ran.
Strongly Suggested 3-1fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway 5 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 21l behind Purple 'n Gold (11-6) at Worcester 2m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Pearls Legend 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leader until 6th, pecked next, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 17, 2 1/4l behind Surf And Turf (10-5) at Aintree 2m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Minella Definitely (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mistake 2nd, towards rear, blundered 11th, headway when not fluent 3 out, went 4th final 100 yards, almost snatched 3rd, 4th of 10, 9 1/4l behind Ruben Cotter (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
