prominent, left in lead 7th, shaken up and clear approaching last, ran on well
held up, mistake 5th, badly hampered and lost place 7th, weakened from 9th, tailed off 4 out
always towards rear, weakened from 10th, mistake next, tailed off from 4 out
held up, chased winner approaching 8th, ridden after 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd and beat when fell 3 out
chased leaders, slightly hampered 7th, pushed along and outpaced approaching 9th, weakened 4 out, left 3rd from 3 out, never dangerous after
led 4th, reminders and lost place after 7th, went 3rd 2 out when weakening
with leaders, led 4th until fell 7th
Nonrunner
This beginners' chase is quite a competitive contest and the leading lights look to be Yes Sir, Aleron and Martha's Kinsman with the vote given to Aleron. The selection ran better than the bare form would suggest when fourth behind Armugedon at Newcastle last time. He had previously impressed with his jumping on his chase debut at Doncaster and he looks the one to be with here. Yes Sir was useful over hurdles but he has yet to translate that form to the bigger obstacles and he has yet to convince with his jumping so we are happy to take him on. Martha's Kinsman is lightly-raced but he was well-beaten at Market Rasen and he will need to show significant improvement to make his mark in this grade. Moonlit Harbour fell last time but he would have to be of interest if he could put in a clear round. However, for the winner we will stick with Aleron.
Aleron (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 6th, ridden to lead 3 out, blundered and headed last, not recover, 4th of 9, 8l behind Armaguedon (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov chs (3) sft.
Honest Endeavour 28-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, weakened from 4 out, last of 12, well behind Town Crier (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Lookafterme (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, blundered 2 out, soon pulled up at the last in race won by Mort De Rire (10-7) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gd, 11 ran.
Martha's Kinsman (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, slightly hampered 5 out, weakened next, 3rd of 9, 47l behind Julius Caesar (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (E) gs in Nov.
Moonlit Harbour 3-1 (11-2) In touch, effort after 5 out, 10 lengths down in 3rd and no impression when fell 2 out in race won by Portavadie (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov chs (C) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.
Rifleman (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 18l behind Silver Sedge (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) sft.
Sandy Gold (IRE) 400-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, reminders approaching 7th, soon lost place, left remote 4th 3 out, 4th of 7, well behind Hoo La Baloo (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov chs (C) gd in Oct.
Yes Sir (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, led 7th, headed after 10th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 14, 44l behind Green Tango (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft.
Ipledgeallegiance (USA) 40-1 (11-2) In touch until weakened 5 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Armaguedon (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov chs (3) sft.
More Flair 100-1 (10-4) In touch, pushed along and headway when mistake 12th, soon ridden and outpaced, 7th of 10, 39l behind New Alco (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Dec.
