tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd over 3f out until 1f out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up in touch on outside, effort over 4f out, went 2nd 1f out, stayed on, unable to trouble winner
prominent, led 9f out, headed 7f out, led again over 5f out, driven out
held up towards rear, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, pushed along 6f out, ridden and outpaced 4f out, went 4th and plugged on from over 1f out
held up in rear, pushed along 6f out, no impression, well beaten final 3f out
in rear, hanging left and lost touch final 6f
led, headed 9f out, led again 7f out, headed over 5f out, weakened from over 2f out
held up in touch in mid-division, ridden 5f out, effort over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, outpaced over 3f out, weakened from over 2f out
Runner-up Strike West and third Shantou Theatre were both well beaten in the same bumper at Sedgefield four weeks ago and look vulnerable here. Hit And Run is from a yard that does well in bumpers but he's nothing special on breeding whereas ALFIE'S CHOICE is a full brother to a winning hurdler and half-brother to another who was also placed in bumpers - Kim Bailey's newcomer can make a winning debut. Chateau Robin has a jumping pedigree and is worth monitoring for future reference.
Baracalu (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Led until hung badly left and headed after 7f, not recover, soon pulled up, at Hexham 2m mdn (6) sft in Mar.
Chateau Robin (IRE) Robin Des Pres gelding out of Bella With A Zee.
Robintheaulad (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Twrds rr, 8th aftr a mile & 7th frm 4out, cl en 5th bef 2out & no ex in 4th bef last until went 3rd cl home, 3rd of 10, 2l behind A Genie In Abottle (11-9) at Bartlemy 3m mdn in May.
Shantou Theatre (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 3rd of 4, 22 1/2l behind Lastbutnotleast (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (6) sft in Mar.
Alfie's Choice (IRE) Shantou gelding out of Bally Bolshoi.
Big Oaks (IRE) Westerner gelding out of Cobblers Hall.
Kalaharry (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 8, dist behind Country'n'western (10-12) at Carlisle 1m 6f (6) gs in Nov.
Oishin Paco Boy gelding out of Roshina.
Strike West (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Chased leaders, outpaced halfway, rallying when ran green and swerved right over 6f out, went 2nd over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 2nd of 4, 19l behind Lastbutnotleast (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (6) sft in Mar.
Oscar's Prospect (IRE) 13-2 (10-5) Tracked winner until pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 4, 16 1/2l behind Listen To The Man (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (6) sft in Feb.
Hag Stone 9-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, some headway on inside over 4f out, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 12, dist behind Lithic (11-0) at Southwell 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Hit And Run (IRE) Getaway gelding out of Arrive In Style.
