 Not surprisingly the two former winners in the race, Hedgehunter, under the 11 stone 12 lb top weight and Numbersixvalverde were both heavily supported, along with Longshanks who had twice been placed in the Topham Trophy over one circuit of the course, and the 2006 Summer National winner McKelvey.Cloudy Bays broke the tape when the runners were sent off for the first time, resulting in a false start.The long delay in getting the runners set again had many on their toes and they set off at a very fast pace second time.