mid-division, brought down 2nd
with leaders, soon tracked leaders in 3rd until after 6th, pushed along and weakened after 9th, soon tailed off
led, hit 1st, headed 3rd, led again 5th, headed before 9th, led again 4 out, ridden and headed before last, quickly weakened
towards rear, hampered 2nd, soon tailed off
with leaders, led 3rd, headed 5th, led again before 9th, headed 4 out, weakened before 2 out
pushed along in rear, reluctant to race and soon tailed off, pulled up
in touch, fell 2nd
behind, hampered 2nd, blundered 8th, went remote 4th from 10th, never dangerous
always towards rear, tailed off 10th
towards rear, headway from before 7th and went 3rd, went 2nd before 2 out, led and hung badly left before last, clear run-in
A decent novice chase for the time of year and the two previous winners set a fair standard. The mare Alpine Breeze has already scored over the larger obstacles at Market Rasen and Huntingdon while An Capall Mor got off the mark at the first time of asking at Uttoxeter when beating a Philip Hobbs-trained odds-on shot. Hobbs runs winning pointer One Wish in this while winning hurdlers Captain Scarlett, Keenes Day and What A Warrior are worth a second look but may lack the scope of Cross Of Honour and BENHEIR. Charlie Longsdon's five-year-old has already won between the flags but may need the ground a little softer so we'll take Rebecca Curtis' charge to come out on top today. Thought good enough to contest the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March, he's won over distance ranging from 2m and 3m and could be one to follow in the months ahead. Rebeccas Choice has gone close a couple of times already over fences but is starting to run out of chances.
Alpine Breeze (IRE) 4-7fav (10-8) Tracked leader, took keen hold and refused to settle until halfway, jumped left throughout, mistake 3 out, driven to challenge next, led last, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Aug beating Paddy The Hare (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
An Capall Mor (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, closed 5th, ridden next, mistake 8th, led 4 out, mistake and headed next, rallied to close last, soon led, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) gd in Sep beating Alazan (11-8) by 1l, 5 ran.
Benheir (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, not fluent last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Bangor 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Red Rocco (11-3) by 6l, 13 ran.
Captain Scarlett (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 8th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Buachaill Alainn (10-12) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Aug.
Cross Of Honour (IRE) 4-1fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, headway after 7th, weakened last, 7th of 15, 19l behind Volador (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Keenes Day (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Led into start, tried to stop at almost every hurdle and given reminders, led until 4th, 4th and beaten after 3 out, went 3rd before last, consented to stay on flat, closing on 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Battlecat (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
One Wish (IRE) (12-0) (cp) led 5; clr 3 out; unchall, won at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp gd in Jun beating Cooleys Flyer (11-7) by 10l, 17 ran.
Parsnip Pete 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, hampered 3rd, headway approaching 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, disputing 4 lengths 3rd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Midnight Tuesday (11-4) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (0-120) (4) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Rebeccas Choice (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Mid-division, pecked 4th, hit 9th, ridden after next, plugged on from 2 out, no chance, 6th of 15, 29l behind Sound Accord (10-4) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
What A Warrior (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, hit last, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Spirit D'armor (11-12) by 4l, 12 ran.
Meet Me At Dawn 9-2 (10-8) Led, hit 1st, headed on long run to 2 out, soon lost 2nd and weakened, finished tired, 5th of 9, well behind Definite Lady (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in May.
