led, headed after 1f, stayed in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, challenged briefly, not pace of winner
tracked leaders, smooth headway to 2f out, ridden and driven clear final furlong
held up, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace
raced keenly, steadied start, saddle slipped after 4f, led briefly, soon pulled up
Alessano can complete a four-timer at the expense of Crow Wood, Lets Roll and Gee Dee Nen. The selection has been well placed to win each of his last three starts, at Windsor, Sandown and Newmarket, handling a slight step up in trip each time. All ground seems to come alike to this game four-year-old who is taken to defy a career-high mark to make it four on the bounce. Crow Wood was fast enough to finish second in last year's John Smith's Cup at York, and had a spell over hurdles at top level. Having finished second over timber at Bangor last time, that is where his ambitions lie again, but he may be involved here without being good enough. Lets Roll is a course-and-distance winner but has been difficult to win with of late, while Gee Dee Nen just cannot get his head in front at present. However, his stable is in fair form and a place may beckon at least. Alessano should safely have this wrapped up though and gets a confident vote.
Rehearsal 7-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never near to challenge, 4th of 9, 6l behind Dorothy's Friend (9-3) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug.
Alessano 11-2 (8-12) Led 1f, chased leader after, led 3f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Aug beating Duty (8-8) by 6l, 7 ran.
Crow Wood 8-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Go Solo (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Lets Roll 8-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Peppertree Lane (8-3) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) hvy.
Doctor Scott 8-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 12l behind Alambic (8-6) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Gee Dee Nen 8-1 (8-5) Towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Trick Or Treat (8-3) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Flying Clarets (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Peppertree Lane (9-5) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) hvy in Aug.