led after 1st, headed after 8th, led again 11th, ridden and headed when not fluent 3 out, well held by leading pair after next
led until after 1st, tracked leader, led after 8th, headed 11th, hit 4 out, ridden to lead next, headed 2 out, no impression on winner approaching last, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, hit 10th, mistake 12th, challenged 3 out, led next, clear before last, ran on well, ridden out
pulled hard, in touch in rear, hit 6th, losing ground on leaders before 9th, jumped right and behind from next, tailed off
tracked leaders in 4th on outside, ridden after 3 out, beaten when hit 2 out, soon hung left and well held
Al Ferof was well below par when finishing behind Menorah in the Arkle at Cheltenham but there's no guarantee he'll reverse the form here as Philip Hobbs' charge should be suited by the extra half-mile, though his jumping continues to give cause for concern. That's not the case with Venetia Williams' mare PEPITE ROSE, who has taken to chasing like a duck to water. She was hugely impressive when completing her four-timer in a Listed handicap at Newbury last time and, though this is a further step up in grade, it will take a very good effort to lower her colours. Alasi is a smart hurdler but her chase wins have come at a much lower level and Cristal Bonus was never travelling before being pulled up in the Jewson at The Festival and has something to prove now.
Al Ferof (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Pressed leader, led 9th, blundered and dropped to 3rd next, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 33l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Cristal Bonus (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Held up behind, pushed along from 6th, in rear when mistake 11th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Sir Des Champs (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Menorah (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up in 4th, pushed along 9th, disputed 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, 6 lengths down in 3rd when blundered next, weakened last, 3rd of 6, 29l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Alasi 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, hampered on bend before next, headway 2 out, chased winner flat, no impression, demoted to 4th close home, 4th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Quevega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Mar.
Pepite Rose (FR) 13-8fav (11-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, not fluent 4 out, soon went 2nd going well, led approaching last, sauntered clear, won at Newbury 2m 6f Mares Novice Handicap Chase (Listed) (5yo+) (1) gd in Mar beating How's Business (11-10) by 9l, 6 ran.
