held up in rear, slow 3rd, pecked 10th, not fluent next, went 4th after 5 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 3rd flat
held up, headway 10th, chased winner next, no impression 2 out, lost 2nd before last, no extra flat
led 1st until 4th, not fluent 10th, lost place 13th, slow next, weakened 5 out, jumped left and mistake 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
jumped well, led until 1st, led 4th, clear from 2 out, eased towards finish
held up, went 3rd 5th, ridden 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner
prominent until mistake 1st, ran in snatches after and not that fluent, in touch 13th, weakened after 5 out
The Young Master has been brilliantly placed by Neil Mullholland to win nine times though the latest was the Grade 3 bet365 at Sandown in April 2016. Sixth in last year's Grand National, last month's run at Kempton should have put him spot-on for this before another crack at Aintree. The veteran Firth Of The Clyde would be a popular winner and he was in cracking form around this time last year completing a double from higher marks than this. He hasn't run since October when well beaten but this is his time of year and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back. BAYWING (NAP) looked a tremendous prospect when easily landing a Grade 2 novices' chase at Wetherby a year ago and has been competing at a high level since though his jumping has been letting him down. With a clear round he can get back to winning ways. Smooth Stepper won a course and distance handicap last January and has found conditions too quick in most subsequent starts but Silver Tassie has been in poor form since winning at Ayr last March and is still 1lb higher. Gold Opera has managed five victories over fences and further rain would aid his cause.
Baywing (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Not fluent, in rear, ridden and headway 2 out, stayed on run in, 5th of 8, 2l behind Get On The Yager (10-7) at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Firth Of The Clyde 22-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, outpaced after 3 out, weakened from last, 4th of 5, 24 1/2l behind As De Mee (11-6) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
The Young Master 8-1 (11-8) Led until 6th, chased winner and jumped badly left after, led again approaching 9th until went badly left headed and dropped to 3rd place 11th, dropped to 4th next, rallied into 3rd before 3 out, 3rd of 6, 11 1/4l behind Fountains Windfall (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Smooth Stepper 12-1 (11-11) Chased leader, led 5th until hit 14th and headed, chased winner until after 16th, 2nd again 2 out, kept on same pace run-un, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Jennys Surprise (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Silver Tassie (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, blundered badly 7th, never on terms after, tailed off when hit 4 out, 6th of 8, 26 3/4l behind Bright Prospect (10-2) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Gold Opera (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden 11th, soon weakened, hit 13th tailed off, 5th of 8, 26 1/4l behind Bright Prospect (10-2) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
