tracked leaders in 3rd, soon with leader, led 5th, headed 7th, led again 10th, soon headed, led 5 out, not fluent 2 out, kept on well, ridden out
soon tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden and looking held in 3rd when fell 3 out
towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 7th
led to 5th, led again 7th, headed 10th, soon led again, mistake 12th, headed 5 out, weakened before 2 out
in rear, outpaced 13th, not fluent 6 out, no impression
held up in touch, mistake 4th, soon in rear, pushed along and weakened from 12th, pulled up
tracked leaders, pushed along before 4 out, every chance before last, kept on and held run-in
NonRunner
A competitive opener but Vivaldi Collonges should make a bold bid to defy top weight as he's won at Kelso and Warwick this season and stays well. Cadoudoff has been dropped a pound since his latest third at Newbury and Smooth Stepper usually runs his race. One For Arthur has been quite highly tried since winning at Kelso in October but Subtle Grey was pulled up in last month's Midlands National after beat Kilbree Chief at Carlisle, as was Cultram Abbey. The latter's stablemate TOP BILLING has only had the two starts over fences and should have more to offer. He's been in good form over hurdles this season and will have found 2m4f on good ground too short at Carlisle last time – Ryan Day is his regular pilot and knows him well,
Vivaldi Collonges (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Made all, clear after 3 out, easily, won at Warwick 3m 1f (3) sft in Feb beating Dawson City (11-0) by dist, 3 ran.
Cultram Abbey 25-1 (11-1) Soon in rear, struggling 9th, lost touch when pulled up before 16th, at Uttoxeter 4m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Cadoudoff (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up toward rear but in touch, headway before 5 out, tracked leaders next, effort 2 out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 7, 9 1/4l behind Potters Cross (10-3) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Smooth Stepper 6-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, reminders after 5th, hampered 7th, chased front pair 11th until after 13th, well beaten in 4th from 3 out, stayed on to take remote 3rd post, 3rd of 11, 37l behind Henri Parry Morgan (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
One For Arthur (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-7) Held up towards rear and in touch, headway 8 out, ridden and blundered 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 6, 17 1/4l behind No Planning (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Top Billing 10-3 (10-12) Tracked winner, disputed lead 7th to before 10th, ridden after 3 out, no impression from next, kept on same pace, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 6 1/4l behind Blakemount (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) gd in Mar.
Kilbree Chief (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, not fluent 4 out, challenged next, led narrowly last, ridden and edged left flat, held on near finish, won at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Nakadam (10-2) by nk, 8 ran.
Subtle Grey (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, outpaced 18th, headway under pressure 5 out, soon chase leaders, weakened 3 out, pulled up next, at Uttoxeter 4m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
