held up behind, struggling 4 out, never dangerous, tailed off
always prominent, led 3 out, headed when hit next, soon ridden, kept on and every chance until no extra and dropped to 5th towards finish
mid-division, hampered 11th, reminders before 4 out, soon behind
tracked leader, lost place when hit 4 out, headway on inside approaching 2 out, ridden and rallied flat, went 2nd near finish, not reach winner
mistake 1st, mid-division in touch on outside, mistake 11th, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and effort after next, one pace 2 out, beaten when mistake and unseated rider last
held up towards rear, headway on outside 17th, effort after 3 out, weakened approaching last
mistake 1st, towards rear, headway 4 out, led 2 out, not fluent last, ridden and headed flat, no extra towards finish
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
in touch on inside, outpaced 4 out, ridden and kept on under pressure approaching 2 out, never reached leaders
tracked leaders, driven 14th, lost place 16th, behind 3 out
led, headed 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear on inside, switched outside and headway before 3 out, 5th and ridden approaching last, stayed on to lead flat, ran on
mid-division, blundered 11th, headway on outside 16th, soon in touch, outpaced 3 out, ridden next, rallied approaching last, kept on and every chance flat, no extra when lost 2nd near finish
This is usually won by a decent stayer and Monbeg Dude was successful 12 months ago before going on to land the Welsh National. Michael Scudamore's eight-year-old is now 17lb higher, however, though did have a pipe-opener over hurdles here last month. Godsmejudge won the Scottish National at Ayr in April off a 9lb lower mark when Tour Des Champs finished fourth. There may be more to come this season while Goulanes is very unexposed and has won here over hurdles. Quentin Collonges stayed on dourly to land the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in the spring and has the beating of On Trend on that run. He'll enjoy the good ground but this looks a tough task for Kelso scorer Knockara Beau and Munster National second Spring Heeled while Burton Port is still on the comeback trail. BRADLEY has plenty of stamina and was second in this last year off a 5lb higher mark. He didn't enjoy much luck after and hinted at a revival here last month. Though 4lb out of the handicap, he might give supporters a run for their money at decent odds.
Burton Port (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in last, headway approaching 2 out (normal 5 out), weakened on home turn, 5th of 7, well behind Ely Brown (10-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Godsmejudge (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) In touch, headway 10th, chased leaders before 8 out, led 6 out, clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr beating Big Occasion (10-3) by 4l, 24 ran.
Goulanes (IRE) 9-4 (11-8) Tracked leaders, closed 16th, went 2nd next, mistake 4 out, ridden after 3 out, stayed on under pressure, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Ackertac (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gs in Apr.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led until before 4th, tracked leader, led again before 3 out, clear before last, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Oct beating Bescot Springs (9-12) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Quentin Collonges (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Chased clear leading pair, went 2nd 18th, led before 3 out, narrowly headed last, led again soon after, stayed on strongly flat, won at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr beating Same Difference (11-7) by 2l, 19 ran.
Spring Heeled (IRE) 11-2fav (11-1) Soon prominent chasing clear leader, good jump 5 out, almost on terms next, disputed from 3 out, still going well before 2 out, soon headed, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Double Seven (11-4) at Limerick 3m gd in Oct.
Monbeg Dude (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not much room when not fluent 9th, headway after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, 3rd and well held by winner when mistake last, one pace, 3rd of 10, 20l behind Kings Palace (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
On Trend (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, pushed along before 11th, lost place next, behind 14th, never on terms after, 8th of 16, 23l behind Houblon Des Obeaux (11-3) at Ascot 3m Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs.
Tour Des Champs (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, went 2nd 5th, every chance after 4 out, 4th and one pace 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner, 2nd of 16, 7l behind Balthazar King (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Oct.
Ballybough Gorta (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Prominent, pushed along and lost place after 6th, ridden along from 9th, closed 11th, outpaced after 4 out, rallied approaching 2 out, no impression on winner when jumped left last, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Full Of Joy (10-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Sep.
Becauseicouldntsee (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led and soon clear, reduced advantage before halfway, mistake 4 out, headed and dropped to 3rd early straight, pecked on landing 2 out, kept on same pace without troubling winner, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind White Star Line (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs in Oct.
Alvarado (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Towards rear, headway on inside 3 out, left 5th at the last, kept on same pace and no impression flat, 5th of 14, 3l behind Al Co (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Oct.
Bradley 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division, not fluent 8th, headway before 3 out, 5th 2 out, stayed on to close flat, no impression close home, 5th of 16, 12l behind Balthazar King (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Oct.
