led, headed 8th, chased winner from next, ridden 4 out, kept on flat
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leader, led 8th, ridden 4 out, clear 3 out, ridden out
held up, ridden when hampered and unseated rider 5 out
behind, ridden along 8th, effort when jumped right 5 out, soon one pace
prominent, hit 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, not fluent 3 out, weakened last
behind, not fluent 5th, lost touch 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
always in rear, tailed off from 7th, pulled up before 5 out
Nonrunner
Roaringwater, Alcopop and The Holy Bee are the three for the shortlist in this handicap chase and the confident vote is given to Alcopop. The selection ran well last time when returning from a break at Fakenham on ground that was faster than ideal. He had gone clear of the rest of the field but was headed close home by New Perk, but compensation could await here on ground that is more suitable and with the benefit of that recent run. Roaringwater is from a yard in good form and he was a fair second on his chasing debut behind Dead Mans Dante. He looks well-handicapped over fences and he is sure to have come on for that latest effort. The Holy Bee looks to have plenty to prove over fences after two moderate efforts, but he is lightly-raced and with this drop in trip in his favour he has to be of interest. The Extra Man would have claims on the pick of his form but he has failed to complete on his last two outings and he can't be backed with any confidence. We are therefore happy to return to Alcopop who looks the one they all have to beat.
The Extra Man (IRE) 9-2fav (11-7) Chased leaders, reminders 7th, lost place next, behind when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Mini Dare (10-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd, 11 ran.
Alcopop 3-1 (11-12) Led, headed 2nd, led again 12th, hit next, weakened and headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind New Perk (9-9) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
Hiers de Brouage (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Prominent to 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 23l behind Eau Pure (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf.
Jour de Mee (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 10th, led after 3 out, soon clear, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (F) sft in Mar beating Terrible Tenant (11-0) by 21l, 6 ran.
Semi Precious (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) With leader when blundered badly and lost place 2nd, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by It's Music (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Tradingup (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 6th until headed 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Joaaci (10-8) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (E) hvy in Mar.
Boundary House 3-1 (10-3) Prominent, ridden after 11th, weakening when mistake 3 out, pulled up before next pulled up 2 out in race won by The Extra Man (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Apr, 11 ran.
Alakdar (CAN) 4-1 (11-3) Led, clear 6th, headed 13th, ridden after 16th, weakened after 4 out, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Tino (11-5) at N Abbot 3m 2f cnd hcp chs (F) gf in Aug '04.
The Holy Bee (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Close up, mistakes 5th and 8th, ridden 10th, joined leader 14th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, well behind King of Gothland (10-8) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd.
Roaringwater (IRE) 13-8fav (11-6) Led first, headed and jumped right 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Dead Mans Dante (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn chs (E) sft.
