mid-division, headway 5th, led 11th, headed after next, led 16th, 2 lengths clear 2 out, driven out
prominent, led 5th until next, led 7th, headed 11th, led 14th until 16th, driven before 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, lost 3rd close home
tracked leaders, mistake and unseated rider 13th
held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, headway after 12th, not fluent 3 out, went 2nd before last, stayed on, unable to challenge winner
mid-division, headway 7th, outpaced 2 out, weakened last
prominent, led 3rd until 5th, led 6th until not fluent next, lost place before 12th, mistake 15th, well beaten 4 out
not fluent 2nd, always towards rear, well beaten 18th, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up
mistakes in rear, pulled up when behind before 15th
tracked leaders, challenged 8th, lost place 16th, well beaten 4 out
led until 3rd, led after 12th, not fluent and headed 14th, 4th when mistake last, stayed on same pace
mid-division, mistake 9th, struggling 11th, behind when mistake 13th, tailed off 16th, pulled up after
chased leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 2nd, headway 15th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, headway when mistake 17th, lost place before 4 out
It's hard not to feel a tinge of sympathy for connections of Alfie Spinner, who gets no respite from the handicapper. He always seems to give his best and was second in this 12 months ago off the same mark. It would be no surprise if Nick Williams' 10-year-old reversed recent Aintree running with Saint Are on slightly better terms and he had Pigeon Island, Mon Parrain and OUR FATHER behind at the Merseyside track but a case could be made for David Pipe's grey this time. He came in for significant market support on his reappearance and ran well for a long way - he doesn't have a bad record around here in comparison to some. Charingworth also goes well here while recent winners Theatrical Star and Cadeau George can't be ignored. Hollow Blue Sky and Beeves also enter the reckoning but Just A Par was pulled up in that aforementioned Aintree race and has a bit to prove now.
Mon Parrain (FR) 40-1 (11-9) Behind, stayed on under pressure into mid-division from 3 out, never near leaders, 11th of 25, 27l behind Oscar Time (10-12) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Dec.
Just A Par (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) In touch on outside, lost place 14th (foinavon), behind from 16th (valentines), soon pulled up, in a race won by Oscar Time (10-12) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Dec, 25 ran.
Theatrical Star 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 6 out, ridden before last, just held on, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec beating Global Power (11-4) by nk, 5 ran.
Our Father (IRE) 8-1fav (11-1) In touch on outside, dropped to mid-division 6th (chair), tracked leaders 12th, led 3 out, clear before next, headed after last, soon ridden, lost place and weakened approaching elbow, 9th of 25, 19l behind Oscar Time (10-12) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Dec.
Charingworth (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, mistake and lost place 9th, not fluent 12th, closed before 17th, driven and one pace 2 out, 4th of 10, 14l behind Benbane Head (9-11) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Cadeau George 10-1 (11-2) Mostly jumped well, made all, blundered 2nd, in command from 2 out, ridden clear between last two, stayed on strongly, won at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec beating Knockanrawley (11-12) by 13l, 8 ran.
Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Led to 3rd, tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, weakened flat, 10th of 25, 25l behind Oscar Time (10-12) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Dec.
King Of The Wolds (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, lost place when mistake 4 out, soon behind, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Poole Master (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Dec.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) In touch, led 3rd to 8th, remained prominent, led again 17th, headed 3 out, soon outpaced, 6th next, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, took 4th post, 4th of 25, 5l behind Oscar Time (10-12) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Dec.
Saint Are (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, 7th next, soon ridden, stayed on to take 3rd toward finish, no impression, 3rd of 25, 4l behind Oscar Time (10-12) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Dec.
Beeves (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) With leader, led 8th, mistake 12th, headed 14th, every chance 2 out, one pace before last, 4th of 10, 21l behind Carlito Brigante (11-12) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Oct.
Pigeon Island 16-1 (9-7) Chased leaders on outside, pushed along 17th, outpaced 3 out, no impression after, 5th of 10, 18l behind Benbane Head (9-11) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Hollow Blue Sky (FR) 5-1 (11-4) In touch in mid-division, pushed along after 8th, reminder 10th, went 3rd before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Al Alfa (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gs in Dec.
