sweating freely, held up in rear, lost ground on leading pair before 4 out, blundered 2 out, no extra
made all, jumped well, driven out
chased leader, not fluent 6th, awkward 8th, hit 13th and lost ground, lost touch before 4 out, no extra
raced in 3rd, moved to chase leader 6th, relegated to 3rd 10th, clear 2nd 13th, chased leader when ridden before 3 out, stayed on but could not match winner
NonRunner
It’s more than three years since UNCLE ALASTAIR finished second on his chasing bow at Carlisle. He was only beaten two lengths by the top-class Vinndication that day and connections will be hopeful that recent wind surgery has given him a boost ahead of his long-awaited return. Sirwilliamwallace will likely be the one to take advantage of any rustiness in the selection as he’s improved with each run over fences and jockey bookings suggest he’s preferred to chasing debutant Milvale. Kalaharry has placed in both starts over the larger obstacles so can’t be ignored.
Uncle Alastair 7-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, slow 10th, smooth progress and every chance approaching last, kept on well, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Vinndication (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Sirwilliamwallace (IRE) 6-5fav (11-4) Led, joined 2nd, headed before 6th, led again before 9th, not fluent 11th and stumbled shortly after fence, pushed along after 2 out, soon headed, no extra from last, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Empire De Maulde (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Milvale (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Close up, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Potters Hedger (11-0) at Haydock 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Kalaharry (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, went 3rd flat, stayed on, no impression, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Miss Amelia (10-11) at Carlisle 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Schmidt (IRE) 125-1 (9-12) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 8th of 10, 22 1/4l behind Epson Du Houx (11-5) at Naas 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
