close up, took narrow lead 3 out, in command flat, idled badly final 100 yards, pressed near finish, pulled out enough last strides
led until 9th, led 11th until after 13th, demoted to 4th and beaten when mistake 5 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
in touch, mistake 10th, improved after 13th, ridden and beaten 3 out, mistake 2 out
mostly tracked leader from 2nd, led 9th until 11th, led after 13th, headed narrowly 3 out, mistake last, stayed on gamely, given every chance by idling winner close home, held last strides
Having finished runner-up in his first three starts over fences, VORAMAR TWO ran no sort of race behind Masterofthehall at Huntingdon last time. The eight-year-old never looked happy on that sharp track, however, and is the one to beat here if judged on his previous run over this C&D behind the useful Silver Kate. Aldertune should go close if building on his third to Pearlysteps over 3m2f at Hereford but the mare Saphire Night is jumping fences late in life, though has been decent form over hurdles lately. Wendel might need this while winning pointer Tom Bach showed little on his debut under Rules but may do better now tackling fences.
Aldertune (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Held up in last pair, closed 9th, ridden in 3rd approaching 3 out, soon no impresison on front pair, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Pearlysteps (10-7) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Tom Bach (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until not fluent 4th, well behind after 8th, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Old Wigmore (10-7) at Hereford 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Voramar Two 11-10fav (10-12) Tracked leader until jumped slowly 2nd, lost footing on landing 4th, hit 8th, led 10th, mistake and headed 13th, led next until 4 out, jumped slowly 3 out, weakened before next, last of 5, well behind Master Of The Hall (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Wendel (GER) 12-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, chased leaders 7th, weakened after 4 out, last of 10, well behind Quentin Collonges (10-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar '10.
Saphire Night 20-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Skippers Brig (11-11) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
