chased leaders, led 4th, blundered 8th, hit 12th, headed before 13th, weakened before next, soon lost touch, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
held up, headway to chase leaders 6th, went 2nd 14th until 3 out, chased leading pair, challenging when led and hit 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat
in touch, reminders before 8th, struggling in 6th at 14th, tailed off
held up in last pair, mistake 12th, headway to chase leaders approaching 14th, went 3rd before 4 out, chased leader next, ridden and dropped to 3rd before 2 out, rallied to 2nd at the last, one pace flat
in touch, ridden along after 12th, headway to lead before 14th, went right blundered and headed 2 out, chased winner until the last, 3rd and one pace flat
chased leaders, driven in 4th after 13th, weakened 14th, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 2nd until 4th, lost place next, towards rear when fell 11th
ridden along virtually throughout, led until 4th, chased leader, led again before 13th, headed before next, chased leaders weakened before 4 out
well in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
Absolute Shambles won this a year ago, the last time he won a race, and at just 4lb higher he will be fancied to complete the double. However, ALTERANTHELA has run so well over the track and trip on his two latest starts that he looks the one to be on despite an 11lb rise for last month's success. Inner Steel has won between the flags but never under Rules so it could be Brunette'sonly, runner-up a year ago and a winner at Exeter last month, who provides the main threat.
Nothingbutthetruth (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 15, 36l behind E Street Boy (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Ballyvoneen (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) In rear, reminders 4th, behind 9th, pulled up 12th, in a race won by Cara Court (9-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Mar, 7 ran.
Brunette'sonly (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Raced wide, led, reminder after 9th, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, chased leader, hung left before last, rallied soon after last, stayed on under pressure to lead final 100 yards, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar beating Storm Alert (11-7) by 1l, 9 ran.
Inner Steel (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, headway to 4th at 5th, staying on to dispute 3rd when stumbled on landing 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Theatrical Star (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (4) gs.
Sea Cadet 7-1 (11-9) Chased leading pair, went 2nd after 3 out until 2 out, 3rd and one pace after, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Quartz Du Montceau (10-9) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec.
Alteranthela (IRE) 11-4 (10-11) Led, headed 5th, led again 7th, clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar beating Soutine (11-9) by 8l, 6 ran.
Amirico (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, mistake 9th, ridden after 11th, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Be My Deputy (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Feb.
Absolute Shambles 12-1 (10-2) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, challenged 8th, led after 13th, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Loughalder (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Gritti Palace (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Behind, weakened from 7th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Gorgehous Lliege (10-12) at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
