took keen hold, led, hit 2nd, headed approaching 5th, led again next, ridden and headed going to 2 out, weakened before last
held up, headway when jumped slowly 5th, soon ridden, lost place when not fluent next, weakened 3 out, mistake last
tracked leaders, hit 3 out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway after 5th, mistake 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, shaken up 6th, weakened 3 out
pressed leader, led approaching 5th, mistake 3 out, weakened before next
held up in last, took keen hold, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd on bit 2 out, led before last, very easily
prominent until 1st, tracked leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened 2 out
Al Qeddaaf was a progressive sort in the autumn and Jason Maguire has chosen him ahead of stablemate Master Fong. But the five-year-old returns from a break here, as does the consistent Crystal Rock. Dontpaytheferryman's bubble was burst at Newcastle in February and he was tailed off on the Flat at Doncaster earlier this month but Alazan can be forgiven his run in a competitive handicap at Aintree and should strip fitter here. TATISPOUT made relatively hard work of getting off the mark in a novices' handicap at Stratford 12 days ago and carries a 7lb penalty here. But an earlier second to Remember Now at the same track has worked out well and Charlie Longsdon's four-year-old can continue on his upward curve here.
Alazan (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Mid-division, hit 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 18th of 21, well behind Far Away So Close (9-10) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd.
Gorge (AUS) 100-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, some headway when hit 3 out, no impression, weakened 2 out, 11th of 21, 32l behind Far Away So Close (9-10) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 11-2 (10-12) Prominent on outer, weakened before 4 out, 9th of 12, well behind Reindeer Dippin (11-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Crystal Rock (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Chased leader, every chance 2 out, 3rd after, went well held 2nd after last until weakened to 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Iolith (11-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Al Qeddaaf (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Tracked leaders on inside and keen, led and mistake 2 out, ridden approaching and hit last, kept on, won at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Tahiti Pearl (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Kingsben 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hampered 2nd, pushed along and lost place when mistake 5th, soon well behind, 8th of 9, 42l behind Gifted Leader (10-10) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Tatispout (FR) 3-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, led on bit last, hard held, won at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf beating Katchmore (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Master Fong (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, blundered 6th, soon ridden and no impression, already weakened when mistake 3 out, stumbled 2 out, 7th of 9, 39l behind Chrysander (11-2) at Ludlow 2m clm hdl (4) gd.
