held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon one pace and no extra before 2 out
prominent until ridden and weakened quickly 15th, fell 17th
mistakes, always in rear
In touch, effort to lead 18th, headed soon after 4 out, stayed chasing leader until blundered and weakened 2 out
chased leaders till after 4 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
towards rear when pecked 8th, behind when unseated rider 10th
behind, mistake 16th, blundered 19th and pulled up before next
close up until ridden and weakened 16th, tried to run out approaching 17th, blundered next and pulled up before next
held up in mid-division, steady headway from 15th, tracked leader 21st, led soon after 4 out, clear 2 out, edged right flat, no extra and headed last 150 yards
In mid-division, behind from 20th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always in rear, tailed off when fell last
led to 2nd, stayed prominent, behind from 19th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, until mistake 9th, soon behind, tailed off
close up until weakened 18th, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, blundered 13th, weakened 4 out
held up in rear, headway before 3 out, ridden to chase leader before last, stayed on flat to lead last 150 yards
in touch, effort 12th, behind from 20th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in mid-division, headway to chase leaders from 20th, kept on same pace from 3 out
in mid-division, kept on under pressure from 4 out, never going pace to reach leaders
held up in rear, steady headway from 20th, chased clear leader soon after 2 out, lost 2nd before last, weakened flat
led 2nd, mistake 6th, headed 18th, weakened after 4 out
soon well behind, tailed off
A competitive looking renewal of this supreme test of stamina in which Jonjo O'Neill, who has won this three times in the last nine years, looks to hold a particularly strong hand again with Multeen River, Hawk's Landing, Native Emperor and Drombeag all holding claims with the vote going to the last mentioned. The selection is unexposed after just four starts but has looked a horse to keep on the right side of in his last two starts when finding just Rosslea and Calling Brave too good. Staying four miles is no easy task for a six-year-old but Stormez went close last year and Drombeag is taken to go one better today. Satco Express has claims on his best form but is more exposed than most and of more interest may be Boneyarrow, who represents the powerful stable of Willie Mullins. The Paul Nicholls-trained Northern Edition has only had one start under rules but this former useful point-to-pointer has to be respected along with Martin Pipe's Magical Bailiwick, who has been running well in decent staying handicaps of late. Tipp Top Lord won well at Towcester last week but this looks a lot tougher and probably comes too soon for him. Away from the selection, Native Emperor looks the best of the remainder of Jonjo O'Neill's runners having been running with credit against decent novices however, it is stablemate Drombeag that makes most appeal and he gets the vote.
