jumped right, chased leaders, mistake 4th, not fluent 6th, lost place approaching 11th, in touch again 13th, mistake 15th, soon weakened, well behind when pulled up before 16th
led 2nd for 16th, one pace from 3 out
ran in snatches, hit 14th, chasing leaders next, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 13th, not fluent 15th, led 15th, driven clear from last
mid-division, effort after 15th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 16th, well behind when pulled up before 17th
in rear, steady headway from 13th, mistake and hampered 14th, went 2nd 4 out, every chance when hit 2 out, mistake last, no extra
in rear, blundered 7th, never going after, pulled up before 13th
held up and behind, mistake 4th, short lived effort approaching 16th, soon struggling, hamperd 17th, tailed off
held up and behind, progress and 6th when stumbled shortly after landing and fell 17th
prominent, close 3rd when fell 14th
in rear, short lived effort on outside approaching 16th, soon struggling, well behind when pulled up before 17th
led to 2nd, remained prominent, weakened 3 out
behind untill pulled up before 11th
Nonrunner
Arnold Layne has been all the rage in the build up but High Chimes is selected with Not Left Yet and Trust Fund preferred of the remainder. Caroline Bailey's charge produced a career best over course and distance last month, the booking of McCoy can only be a positive and he has leading claims despite taking a hike in the weights. High Chimes boasts a similar profile except he has yet to race beyond 3 miles and this marathon trip could be the key to an improved performance. He was doing all of his best work at the end of the Tommy Whittle over 3 miles last time out and should relish this test; with just six career starts to his name it's unlikely we've seen the best of him and he can step up to the plate. Not Left Yet was fancied for the Welsh National but lost his chance before the race had begun in earnest; a race of this nature is well within his range and he holds every chance. Trust Fund heads the list of the more exposed runners given the improvement he's shown since joining Paul Nicholls but Naunton Brook, Kilbeggan Blade and Philson Run will all be suited by the conditions and have proven form. It's difficult to argue that any of them are well handicapped though so, for the winner, we come back to High Chimes who could be ahead of the game.
Kilbeggan Blade 4-1 (11-1) In touch, headway 13th, challenged 3 out, soon led, drew clear from next, won at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec beating Tana River (11-12) by 20l, 7 ran.
Naunton Brook 33-1 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed 5 out, soon faded, 4th of 18, 18l behind Miko de Beauchene (10-5) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Blue Splash (FR) 13-2 (10-5) Prominent, hit 1st, led 8th until 10th, hit 4 out, soon ridden, beaten when fell 3 out in race won by Over The Creek (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
D'Argent (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 17th soon weakened, 12th of 18, 40l behind Denman (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Dec.
Trust Fund (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Chased leader, led 17th, mistake 4 out, 5 lengths ahead when stumbled after landing 2 out, stayed on, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating King Harald (11-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Philson Run (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway 20th, chasing leaders 4 out, effort after next, one pace flat, 4th of 40, 17l behind Silver Birch (10-6) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Fair Question (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, behind when pulled up at the 15th in race won by Miko de Beauchene (10-5) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Sixo (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) In touch when fell at the 14th in race won by Another Rum (11-7) at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (B) gd in Mar '05, 20 ran.
Not Left Yet (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Held up in rear, stumbled and unseated rider at the 12th in race won by Miko de Beauchene (10-5) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Arnold Layne (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Disputed lead, led 14th, kept on well, won at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating The Gangerman (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
High Chimes (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, hit 6th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Cloudy Lane (11-3) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Strong Resolve (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Led to 3rd, led again 16th, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 13, 11l behind Rambling Minster (11-7) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Mr Ed (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Chased leaders until lost place 14th, soon ridden, stayed on approaching last, went 2nd flat, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Nougat de L'Isle (11-1) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Mr Fluffy 11-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, mistake 8th, challenged from 13th, hit 16th, ridden and beaten after 4 out, 3rd of 6, 31l behind Trust Fund (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
