tracked leaders until 13th, stumbled on bend after next, soon struggling but in touch, one pace from 3 out
held up, mistake 14th, hit 4 out, good headway next, effort 2 out, kept on run-in
close up, headway 11th, chased winner 4 out, hit next, soon ridden, kept on close home
held up, blundered 12th, headway 15th, effort after 3 out, one pace from next
chased leader, hampered 11th, ridden after 15th, one pace from 3 out
tracked leaders, led 15th, hit 3 out, pecked last, ridden out
jumped left throughout, led until 15th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
Dream Alliance caught the eye earlier in the season and we think he can resume winning ways here at the main expense of Rakalacke and Kitski. Phillip Hobbs' 6-year-old showed a good attitude last time out when chasing home Patman Du Charmil at Warwick. He had been disappointing on his previous two starts but that was on unsuitable ground and he had previously looked like one to stay on the right side of when winning at Exeter back in November. Rakalacke is still relatively well handicapped compared to his hurdles rating and with this in mind he is not one to dismiss lighty, but he was well beaten behind Touch Closer last time and the simple fact is that he is not as good over fences. Kitski ran woefully at Carlisle last time but a combination of this drop in trip and the less testing ground should see him in a better light today. Ballyfinney may find this ground too quick even though he has some solid Irish form. We are therefore happy to nominate Dream Alliance to get back to winning ways.
Dream Alliance 6-4fav (11-9) Held up, joined leaders 12th, chased winner next, ridden 4 out, one pace, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Patman Du Charmil (10-7) at Warwick 3m nov chs (3) gd.
Kitski (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Held up, brief effort 14th, soon beaten, 6th of 7, well behind See You There (11-2) at Carlisle 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Ballyfinney (IRE) 5-1fav (11-9) Chased leaders, 6th 5 out, ridden next, no impression when slight mistake 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 17l behind Benefit Night (11-8) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Feb.
Bengo (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) In touch, mistake 10th, hampered 17th, still well there when hampered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Butler's Cabin (12-0) at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (2) gs, 19 ran.
Rakalackey 3-1jt-fav (11-8) Held up, steady headway from 8th, ridden, weakened 15th, 4th of 9, 14l behind Touch Closer (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Inaro (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, until ridden and lost place 9th, rallied to chase leading trio approachign 3 out, 4th and well beaten when blundered last, 4th of 8, 11l behind Bible Lord (11-9) at Lingfield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Notanotherdonkey (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Mistake 1st, held up, ridden after 15th, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 8, 26l behind Strolling Vagabond (10-6) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
