held up towards rear, not fluent 14th, struggling and no chance after
led until mistake and headed 13th, stayed tracking leader, not fluent 14th and 16th, blundered and fell 17th
tended to jump left, held up in rear, steady headway from 20th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened and jumped left last 2
close up, badly hampered and nearly unseated rider 8th, headway to chase leading pair 14th, led 4 out, 3 lengths clear last, pressed, driven and stayed on gamely run-in
chased leaders, ridden after 13th, lost place after next
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake last
pressed leader, led 13th, headed 4 out, chased winner after, 3 lengths down last, kept on gamely under pressure run-in
always behind
mid-division, hampered 8th, mistake 14th, weakened after 4 out
always behind
hampered 8th, mistake 14th, weakened after 4 out
chasing leaders when fell 15th
mid-division, ridden and weakened 19th
never going well in rear, mistake 3rd, driven along 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
not always fluent, held up in mid-division, steady headway from 15th, chased leaders after 4 out, still close up next, weakened before 2 out
chasing leaders when fell 8th
mistake 2nd, behind, struggling 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 20th
chased leaders until blundered 3rd, never going well after and soon in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
Impossible to be dogmatic in such a competitive heat, but Innox has the ability to be a force in this company, while Lacdoudal, You're Special and Eric's Charm spearhead the challenge from a host of others that represent good each-way value. Eric's Charm - a convincing winner here last month -is a bold jumper, whose style of running would help ensure a solid pace. However, he wouldn't want the ground too fast and faces a stiff test off a 12lb higher mark. You're Special has really held his form well this season and was good value for his winning margin in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. Obviously, this is a big step up in grade, but he has improved significantly during the course of this season and, considering Ferdy Murphy's talents with staying chasers, he has to be on the shortlist of today's leading contenders. Lacdoudal is another in great heart and this trip should be easily within the boundaries of his stamina reserves. He has gone well here in the past and looks a more reliable jumper than his stablemate, One Knight, these days. Others worth noting include: Therealbandit, who gets Timmy Murphy's vote over fellow Pipe inmate Puntal, who short-headed Royal Auclair in this race last year. The last named ran a blinder in the Grand National on his reappearance but there is a nagging doubt about this coming around too quickly after a long break. Others are preferred on this occasion. With none making more appeal than Innox, who is much better judged on his previous visit to Sandown rather than his first-fence fall in the National. Tony McCoy renews acquaintances with the 10-year-old and they are expected to be the most formidable partnership on show in this end-of-season highlight.
Royal Auclair (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, weakened 5 out, 13th of 30, well behind Run For Paddy (10-2) at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd.
One Knight (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Prominent, mistake 12th, weakened next, behind when blundered 16th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by War Of Attrition (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar, 22 ran.
Therealbandit (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Mid-division, hampered 10th, headway 11th, blundered 16th (Water) weakened after 26th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs, 40 ran.
Lacdoudal (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 13th, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last, 2nd of 18, 16l behind State of Play (10-2) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd.
It Takes Time (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Held up, mistake 8th (Canal Turn) pecked 22nd (Beches) never in contention and pulled up 2 out in race won by Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs, 40 ran.
My Will (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Fell 1st in race won by Celestial Gold (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd, 9 ran.
Puntal (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 15th (Chair) headed 17th, behind from 23rd (Foinavon), 6th of 40, well behind Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Calling Brave (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) In touch, weakened approaching 19th, 14th of 30, well behind Run For Paddy (10-2) at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd.
Eric's Charm (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Jumped well, tracked leader, left in lead 13th, clear approaching 3 out, unchallanged and eased near finish, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar beating Supreme Catch (10-5) by 21l, 13 ran.
Jack High (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Held up, blundered and unseated rider at the 15th in race won by Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs, 40 ran.
Risk Accessor (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 13th, pecked 16th (Water) close up after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 40, well behind Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
You're Special (USA) 33-1 (10-12) Soon prominent, led 15th, ridden 2 out, ran on, won at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar beating Mon Mome (10-5) by 3 1/2l, 21 ran.
Inca Trail (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway after 16th (Water) close up going well from 26th, weakened between last 2, 8th of 40, well behind Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Montayral (FR) 66-1 (10-5) Mid-division, 12th halfway, weakened from 6 out, tailed off, 13th of 26, well behind Point Barrow (10-8) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs gd.
Liberthine (FR) 16-1 (10-4) In touch, left chasing leading pair 10th (Becher's), joined leader 2 out, jumped slightly right last, soon led, stayed on, won at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd beating Hakim (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 29 ran.
Mr Fluffy 66-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, led 15th, headed after 3 out, ridden to lead again 2 out, headed and not quicken flat, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Run For Paddy (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Oct.
Presenting Express (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Held up in rear until blundered and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Yardbird (10-9) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar, 17 ran.
High Cotton (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) In touch until weakened 20th, 10th of 22, 26l behind Hot Weld (11-11) at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (2) gd in Mar.
Innox (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Fell 1st in race won by Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs, 40 ran.
