led to 6th, weakened approaching next
in rear, headway approaching 8th, led approaching last, soon clear
chased leaders, led 6th, headed approaching last, soon weakened
towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, no chance with winner
chased leader, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before last
held up, ridden after 6th, never dangerous
chased leaders, weakened from 6th, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
Alternator is given our vote with Spare Me and Speed Venture chief amongst the dangers. The selection has a little to prove and may ideally prefer further but he didn't fare too badly in a decent novice hurdle at Ascot last time when well backed. Prior to that, he'd shown form in bumpers and got to within a length of Gone To Lunch at Uttoxeter in October so his chance is there for all to see. Spare Me is the in-form horse but he would also be better served by a stiffer test. There should be more to come from him but a 12lb rise for winning a bad race looks a little excessive. Speed Venture has won three times here and is back down to a winning mark as well as having a capable conditional on board. He ran a better race last time and it would be folly to leave him out of the equation. Coq Hardi showed a little more last time but that form hasn't worked out at all well so, for the winner, we'll come back to Alternator.
Vicario 14-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place after 5th, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Naiad du Misselot (10-0) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Coq Hardi (FR) 16-1 (11-11) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, ridden when fell in race won by Pamak D'airy (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
Supsonic 100-1 (10-7) Led until 8th, gradually weakened from 3 out, 16th of 18, 47l behind Backbord (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Red Scally 12-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, hit 7th, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Overserved (11-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
Spare Me 7-4fav (11-7) Close up, led 6th, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Tisfreetdream (11-8) by 5l, 6 ran.
Alternator (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway 8th, led soon after 3 out, headed before next, soon outpaced, 4th of 15, 7l behind Earth Crystal (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Go West (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Kornati Kid (11-9) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Raffles (FR) 25-1 (10-6) Held up, ridden and weakened 7th, tailed off when fell 2 out in race won by Almaydan (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Speed Venture 3-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, hit and reminders 5th, soon lost place, ridden approaching next, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Glad Big (11-6) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
