never going well, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
got loose before start, prominent, lost place after 6th, behind when pulled up before 11th
in touch, hit 6th, ridden and lost place 11th, behind when pulled up before next
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden to challenge 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, pushed along after 13th, soon weakened
jumped right, towards rear, mistake 12th, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, steady headway 7th, led 3 out, clear next, ridden out
chased leader, hit 9th, pecked 12th, led 14th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon beaten
led, ridden and headed 14th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
mid-division, lost place 7th, soon behind
Nonrunner
Some interesting staying sorts line up in opposition here, and the vote goes to Calcot Flyer over the likes of Madam's Man, Romantic Hero and Ankles Back. Calcot Flyer has only had nine career outings in all, and so there should be plenty more to come from the son of Anshan who created a favourable impression with his jumping when opening his account at Worcester in April. That was in stark contrast to his previous effort at Kempton where Alan King's charge mystified connections with a very poor performance as he was pulled up in the end. Maybe it has just taken time for the penny to drop over the bigger obstacles, and although he has a rise in the handicap to overcome, we shall give him the chance to prove that his success was no fluke. This race actually looks tougher than the Worcester contest, and Madam's Man could be a danger to all despite topweight. The Nigel Twiston-Davies inmate won first time out last season, and so nearly repeated the feat when beaten a neck by the 113-rated Tolouse-Lautreck in the Devon National at Exeter. That was a cracking effort, and the drop back in trip should help his cause. Romantic Hero is difficult to assess on his first outing for Charlie Egerton, but he displayed ability when last seen in 2003 so should not be ruled out of calculations entirely. Ankles Back felt the benefit of a throat operation when finally coming good at Huntingdon in March and is out to make up for lost time, and along with recent hunter-chase winner Red Rampage, can help make things tough for Calcot Flyer. He is a young, progressive sort though, and can pay to follow.
