mid-division on outside, dropped to last at 13th, plugged on after 3 out
chased leaders, weakening when blundered and almost unseated rider 4 out
raced wide in mid-division, went left 2nd, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, steady headway on inside 9th, chased leaders 14th, went 2nd 4 out, ridden and well held before next, lost 2nd close home
chased leader, led 14th, mistake and headed next, lost 2nd approaching 4 out, chased leaders, weakened before next
chased leaders, 2nd approaching 15th, led 15th, clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 14th, ridden and weakened 16th
held up on inside, not fluent 10th, headway 12th, chased leaders 14th, blundered 4 out, weakened before blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, hit 14th, headway on outside chasing leaders 4 out, stayed on from next, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
led until mistake and headed 14th, lost 2nd approaching next, weakened 16th, soon behind
chased leaders, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, steady headway chasing leaders before 4 out, 4th and one pace before next
The Last Samuri has a touch of class but the weight to match and may need this. Otago Trail gave a bold display in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle until lack of peak fitness told but a small rise in the weights has done him no favours. Minella Daddy is infuriatingly inconsistent and was never travelling behind Favorito Buck's here last month while Jammin Masters may lack the experience for this. Stamina may be an issue for the likes of Benatar, Full Glass and Flying Angel as several of these like to force the pace including last year’s winner Gold Present, who is 5lb higher. THOMAS PATRICK’s run in the Ladbrokes Trophy was too bad to be true. He is normally a bold-jumping galloper but was taken on from an early stage at Newbury and appeared to sulk. Richard Johnson will have to be alert at the start here but he can be a hard horse to pass if getting into a rhythm.
The Last Samuri (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Behind, hampered 6th (bechers), hampered again 15th (chair), struggling 23rd (2nd canal turn), tailed off when pulled up before 5 out, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Apr.
Otago Trail (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Led, hit 9th, headed 2 out, rallied and every chance last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Lake View Lad (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
Gold Present (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Led, mistake 3rd, reached for 9th, headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, plugged on in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 10 1/2l behind Politologue (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Nov.
Benatar (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Keen in rear, gained a place at 12th, plugged on in 4th on long run before 2 out, 4th of 6, 16 1/2l behind Politologue (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Nov.
Thomas Patrick (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Mostly tracked leader until led 4th, mistake and briefly headed 6th, headed 15th, pushed along and lost 2nd before 17th, weakened quickly before next, behind and pulled up before 3 out, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Valtor (FR) (10-7) 7th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Saint Goustan Blue (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 6f gs in Oct.
Flying Angel (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway tracking leaders approaching 12th, weakened 14th, tailed off when blundered 3 out, 8th of 12, dist behind Sizing Tennessee (11-3) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Full Glass (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, mistake 3rd, not fluent 5 out, soon lost place, rallying when blundered and unseated rider next, at Haydock 2m 6f (2) gd in Nov.
Jammin Masters (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, hampered last, stayed on into 2nd closing stages, nearest finish, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Count Meribel (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Minella Daddy (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along 14th, lost place 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Favorito Buck's (11-2) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Favorito Buck's (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Made all, not fluent 11th, ridden 2 out, driven out, won at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Vice Et Vertu (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Solighoster (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Held up, mistake 4th, fell 13th, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
