mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, mistake 3rd, weakened after 7th, tailed off but pulled up before 2 out
led to approaching 2nd, chased leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened after next
led approaching 2nd to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
always behind, mistake 3rd, tailed off, when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, carried left, reminders 5th, headway after 7th, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
jumped slowly, lost place 1st, headway 2nd, led 3 out, ridden, headed 2 out, led again last, headed close home
held up, behind, steady headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, not fluent 7th, weakened next
towards rear, headway approaching 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
prominent to 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, effort approaching 8th, soon weakened
towards rear, hit 6th, ridden, headway 9th, weakened after next
held up, headway 7th, ridden approaching 8th, led 2 out, not fluent, headed last, stayed on gamely to lead close home
always towards rear, jumped left 5th, tailed off, pulled up before 8th
prominent, ridden 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, when pulled up before 4 out
Grand National hopes Clan Royal and Silver Birch do battle over timber here, but they both might find one too good in Keepers Mead, with Passenger Omar and Kings Bay worth a mention at least. Clan Royal was denied a run at Huntingdon on Wednesday and so turns out here, and there is no doubting the fact that he is better treated over hurdles than fences, but as we have said in the past, the Grand National is the 11-year-old's major target, and anything in between is just to get him spot on for the big day. With that in mind, Jonjo O'Neill's charge cannot be put forward as a selection, and nor can Silver Birch. Fancied for Aintree last year before being forced to miss out, he has been given the kid glove treatment and although he goes well fresh and the stable is on fire, he is hardly likely to be set alight himself just yet. So, we shall instead rely on Keepers Mead who ran as though something was amiss when pulled up here last year. Robert Alner's gelding did nothing wrong when going down narrowly to Drumbeater at Chepstow, and despite his raised mark for an earlier Exeter victory, is given the vote. Passenger Omar has a fair weight and is lightly-raced, while Kings Bay was a beaten favourite last time and has been consistent in defeat, so both merit a mention, but Keepers Mead is the pick.
Sunset Light (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) Led, blundered 6th, mistake 4 out, ridden when hit 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Jackson (11-4) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Oct.
Concert Pianist 6-1 (11-11) Held up, hit 3rd unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Mon Mome (12-1) at Fontwell 3m 2f nov chs (3) sft, 7 ran.
Keepers Mead (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Led, ridden and headed approaching last, ran on flat, 2nd of 18, nk behind Drumbeater (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec.
Silver Birch (IRE) 10-3fav (10-5) In touch, headway 12th, ridden 4 out, led 3 out, clear approaching last, won at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) hvy in Dec '04 beating Strong Resolve (9-13) by 2l, 17 ran.
Lalagune (FR) 50-1 (11-8) Always rear pulled up 2 out in race won by Drumbeater (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
Star Angler (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, blundered 11th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Gallant Approach (11-7) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (C) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Jiver (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) fell at the 2nd in race won by Sonevafushi (12-5) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs, 10 ran.
Clan Royal (FR) 2-1fav (11-8) Held up behind, steady progress from 5th, tracked leaders after 7th, short -lived effort approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 14, 19l behind Keepers Mead (11-4) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Dec.
Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 9-2fav (10-10) Driven and struggling from 9th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Victory Gunner (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Pardon What 12-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 16, 17l behind Titian Flame (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Kings Bay 11-4fav (11-12) Prominent, mistake 3rd, led 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Passenger Omar (11-2) at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Euradream (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd after 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 15, 11l behind Moustique de L'Isle (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) hvy in Dec.
Chanticlier 10-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 14, 16l behind Supreme's Legacy (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 7f nh mdn hdl (5) sft.
Passenger Omar (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden to lead 2 out, edged left near finish, driven out, won at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec beating Dundridge Native (10-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Better Thyne (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) In touch until 5th, soon tailed off, 10th of 19, well behind Kings Rock (11-7) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Dec.
Mike Simmons 9-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 9th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Brush A King (10-2) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Jun '04, 10 ran.
