tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, joined winner 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked winner until 5th, tracked leaders, dropped to rear 10th, pulled up 12th
made all, 5 lengths clear 3rd, slow 9th, joined 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on
in touch in rear, ridden and weakened 3 out
raced wide close up, chased leading pair 4 out, ridden and stayed on one pace
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Uncle Alistair, lightly-raced for a 10-y-o, has only had three starts since late 2018. He's not going to be as good as was once hoped but should give a good account under the champion elect. He went well here on his penultimate start when a close second to Papa Tango Charly and is probably worth a saver as UP HELLY AA KING just gets the vote. Nick Alexander's inmate came right back to form when getting the better of Vintage Clouds and makes appeal off his current mark as long as the ground doesn't become too quick. Belami Des Pictons was way behind the selection last time but is far better than that and it would be folly to write him off on that evidence alone.
Some Chaos (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Mid-division, closed after 2nd, mistake 8th, soon lost place, well behind 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Belami Des Pictons (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Held up, ridden and outpaced before 4 out, made no impression, last of 5, dist behind Up Helly Aa King (10-0) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Smooth Stepper 33-1 (11-10) Mid-division out wide, pushed along after 7th, soon towards rear, never on terms after, tailed off when awkward 16th, 10th of 15, dist behind The Galloping Bear (11-12) at Lingfield 3m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Jerrysback (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Midfield, blundered 9th, nudged along before next, dropped to rear 11th, faded after 13th, pulled up 3 out (usual 4 out), at Exeter 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Royal Village (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Always behind, 7th of 8, 25 1/4l behind Buster Thomas (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Uncle Alastair 10-3 (11-0) Chased leaders who were clear 6th, closed before 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Erne River (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 5f (3) sft in Feb.
Chapel Stile (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in rear on outside, not fluent 4th, headway after 4 out, outpaced after next, well beaten 2 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Kaizer (10-9) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Up Helly Aa King 11-2 (10-0) Held up, made smooth headway to challenge at 3 out, ridden and joined leaders at 2 out, came to lead after final fence, won gamely, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb beating Vintage Clouds (11-7) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
