chased leaders, not fluent 3rd or 6th, ridden when mistake 5 out, soon beaten, mistake last, tailed off
held up in last pair, not fluent 11th, headway after 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, no impression, weakened after 2 out, demoted to 4th flat
held up in 5th, closed 13th, chased winner after 5 out, stayed on, always behind held
chased leaders, lost place 12th, lost touch after next, well beaten before 5 out, tailed off
held up in last pair, took keen hold, mistake 2nd, not fluent next, mistake 5th, headway from 11th, pecked 5 out, switched right before next, weakened 3 out
chased winner until mistake 5 out, weakened 2 out, went 3rd flat
made all, clear 3rd until 6th, given breather after 13th, kicked on 5 out, unchallenged
Red Harbour wasn't very convincing when winning a three-runner race at Fontwell last month. The seven-year-old still has a bit to prove over fences and could be vulnerable conceding 7lb here to CARPINCHO. Sarah Humphrey's charge did really well over hurdles last term, winning at Sedgefield and Folkestone, but is the type to do even better now he tackles fences and AP McCoy's booking here is highly significant. Misala won over 2m4f at Gowran last month and should stay the extra here while Alfie Spinner has some fair form over timber to his name and is worth noting for future reference. Winning pointer Thats Ben may be the pick of the remainder.
Misala (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Chased leaders, struggling in poor 4th from 5 out, left disputing lead when badly hampered 3 out, led after next and clear last, stayed on well, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chs gd in Sep beating Sizing Santiago (11-9) by 7l, 6 ran.
Red Harbour (IRE) 4-9fav (11-5) Tracked leader after 1st, sometimes jumped left, challenging when outjumped 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, just over 1 lenght down when pitched slightly on landing last, soon led, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (4) gd in Sep beating Khorun (11-12) by 11l, 3 ran.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Chased leaders on inside, outpaced when rider lost iron 9th, soon lost place, weakened before 2 out, 19th of 23, well behind Buena Vista (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Cardigan Island (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led narrowly 8f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 9l behind Jimbill (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd.
Carpincho (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened before last, 9th of 20, 34l behind Battle Group (11-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Thats Ben (IRE) 4-7 (12-0) 2nd of 9, hd behind The Rodeo Clown (12-0) at Tabley 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Viking Blond (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along before 8th, weakened before 5 out, 16th of 20, well behind Battle Group (11-1) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Gotoyourplay (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Close up, 4th when hit 11th, weakened 4 out, beaten when blundered 2 out, 4th of 8, 29l behind Fin Vin De Leu (10-12) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chase (4) gs in Mar.
