keen early, led 2nd, headed 20th, weakened quickly and pulled up after 22nd
always towards rear, lost touch 25th, pulled up before last, dismounted
mid-division, headway to track leaders 22nd, outpaced 4 out, plugged on in modest 4th from next
tracked leaders, led 20th, made rest, ridden before last, clear flat, stayed on well
in touch, mid-division halfway, hampered and dropped towards rear 19th, no danger after, weakened and pulled up after 23rd
tracked leader to 16th, in touch until weakened 22nd, pulled up before next
held up, always towards rear
mid-division, close up 11th, outpaced 4 out, weakened after 2 out
prominent, outpaced 4 out, never able to get back on terms, ridden before last, weakened flat
behind, mistake 12th, headway when blundered 20th, lost place 25th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on into modest 3rd flat, no chance with clear pair
always behind, lost touch 20th, tailed off when pulled up after 22nd
mid-division, headway and in touch halfway, went 2nd after 25th, driven and unable to quicken after 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure before last, weakened flat
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 19th, chased leaders 24th, went 3rd before 26th, outpaced 3 out, no chance with front pair after, weakened flat
led to 2nd, tracked leaders until blundered and unseated rider 19th
NonRunner
NonRunner
As well as the Grand National, TIGER ROLL (NAP) has won this for the last two seasons. Even though there are 32 varied obstacles to negotiate, Gordon Elliott’s remarkable 10-year-old can win at The Festival for a fifth time before heading off to Aintree again. Yanworth is also a Festival regular but he fell over these fences in November in the race won by Easysland, who is also now owned by JP McManus. Out Sam, Chic Name, Neverushacon and Kingswell Theatre were all behind that day and look held. Emmanuel Clayeux sends three over from the Auvergne and Derek O’Connor’s mount Arlequin D'Allier could outshine previous course winners Urgent De Gregaine and Diesel D'Allier. Might Bite is a fascinating runner as he was second in the Gold Cup here two years ago. However, he’s had his problems since and there is no guarantee he’ll relish a new challenge this late in his career.
Arlequin D'Allier (FR) (11-4) won at Pau 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan beating Calinight (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Chic Name (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 5 out, led 3 out, ridden between last 2, 4 lengths clear last, kept on, headed post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Bob Mahler (11-7) at Musselburgh 4m 1f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Diesel D'Allier (FR) (10-10) at Pau 3m 7f lst gd in Feb.
Easysland (FR) (10-11) won at Pau 3m 7f lst gd in Feb beating Blason D'Or (10-10) by 3l, 12 ran.
Josies Orders (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Mid-division early, tracked leaders at halfway, 6th 3 out, pushed along in moderate 6th 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 4th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Neverushacon (11-11) at Punchestown 3m 1f hvy in Feb.
Kingswell Theatre 15-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until before 17th, chased leaders, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Little Bruce (11-11) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Might Bite (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Jumped left at times, raced wide and held up in 4th, closer in 3rd at 12th, well held when went left final 3, weakened run-in, 3rd of 6, 10 1/4l behind Native River (11-6) at Newbury 2m 7f (1) gd in Feb.
Neverushacon (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, 2nd 6 out, pushed along in 2nd after 2 out, ridden in close 2nd at last, headway to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 3m 1f hvy in Feb beating Ballyboker Bridge (11-11) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Outlander (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Towards rear on outside, mistake 6th, behind from 9th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Out Sam 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 7th 5 out, ridden in 6th before 2 out, no impression, 6th of 19, dist behind Ifyoucatchmenow (10-0) at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Sumkindofking (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up behind, mistake 10th, headway under pressure after 5 out, ridden before next, chased leader 3 out, 4 lengths down last, no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 7 1/2l behind Bob Mahler (11-7) at Musselburgh 4m 1f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Tiger Roll (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Waited with towards rear, headway on outer from 10th travelling smoothly, 4th 2 out, soon no impression, one pace run-in and dropped to 5th near line, 5th of 8, 14 1/4l behind Cracking Smart (11-3) at Navan 2m 5f (1) hvy in Feb.
Urgent De Gregaine (FR) (10-12) 4th of 7, 24 1/2l behind Elegant Star (11-4) at Pau 2m 7f hvy in Jan.
Yanworth 9-10fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at halfway, dropped to 4th at 20th, not fluent 6 out, 3rd and slight mistake next, soon pushed along, ridden in 3rd 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Neverushacon (11-11) at Punchestown 3m 1f hvy in Feb.
Fact Of The Matter (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Behind, mistake 12th, tailed off 14th, pulled up after 18th, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Utility (GER) 18-1 (11-7) In rear, not fluent 7th, ridden before next, behind 9th, pulled up before 11th, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
