led, pressed 4 out, ridden and headed before last, one pace, no chance with winner
in rear, in touch in 4th, headway after 4 out to chase leading pair, ridden to lead before last, soon clear, readily
tracked leader, challenged 4 out, every chance 3 out, weakened flat
tracked leaders in 3rd, hit 9th, weakened from 3 out
Alexander Oats has shown very little in a limited career in bumpers and over hurdles while there must be a question mark over the penalised Sibenek. Martin Todhunter's Carlisle winner was failing to complete for the third time in five starts when pulled up at Wetherby four weeks ago. Woody Waller was successful on the Flat at Pontefract last spring but his form over hurdles deteriorated after he won here almost two years ago so it's almost by default that we arrive at STEADY TIGER. Nicky Richards' charge was returning from a long absence when pulled up on his reappearance at Newcastle but fared a lot better when fifth over C&D 12 days ago and a repeat could well suffice today.
Sibenek (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) In rear, pushed along after 8th, weakened 9th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Alvarado (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Jan, 5 ran.
Alexander Oats 200-1 (10-9) Behind, outpaced 2 out, never dangerous, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Solway Sam (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Steady Tiger (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 11th, one pace from 4 out, no impression, 5th of 8, 17l behind Premier Sagas (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Jan.
Woody Waller 66-1 (11-8) Mid-division on outer, weakened after 5 out, tailed off, pulled up before next, in a race won by Universal Soldier (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 18 ran.
