close up, pushed along 8th, headway to lead 3 out, stayed on strongly flat
in touch in rear, ridden 3 out, not trouble leaders
led 2nd, joined 4 out, ridden and headed next, weakened before last
tracked leaders, pushed along from 2nd, reminders 6th, soon struggling in rear, finish in own time
close up, tracked leading pair 7th, ridden 3 out, plugged on one pace
led, headed 2nd, tracked leader, joined leader 4 out, ridden to chase winner next, plugged on one pace
Alpha Victor has his own ideas about the game but is not without ability. He scored over fences at Sedgefield before refusing at the first obstacle last time and reverts to hurdling. Sir Mangan is more reliable and ran well again at Wetherby recently despite a 10lb rise for an earlier victory. He should go close, but MONETARY FUND may just edge it. The latter has been competing in better company than this of late and was still travelling well when falling at Musselburgh last time. Venetia Williams' charge can land this with a clear round. Extreme Impact got the better of Quel Elite at Haydock last month but both ran poorly in the same race on their latest starts.
Alpha Victor (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, refused 1st, in a race won by Midnight Prayer (11-7) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (3) sft, 4 ran.
Monetary Fund (USA) 7-2 (10-6) Prominent until fell 4 out, in a race won by Wyse Hill Teabags (10-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl (2) sft, 11 ran.
Sir Mangan (IRE) 6-4 (11-5) Led, driven and hard pressed 2 out, headed narrowly approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Flemenson (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Extreme Impact 11-1 (10-5) Mid-division, weakened before 4th, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Top Wood (11-7) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Quel Elite (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 5 out, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, 4th of 13, 34l behind Top Wood (11-7) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Jaunty Journey 10-1 (11-0) Pushed along and reminders to lead, bumped and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Heavenstown (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy, 12 ran.