led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed and fell 2 out
held up, mistakes 1st and 3 out, ran on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
held up in rear, hit 11th, weakened from 4 out
held up in touch, went 2nd 5 out, led 2 out, left clear after
chased leader to 5 out, soon ridden, slightly hampered when left 2nd 2 out, weakened 2 out
Nicky Henderson looks to hold the key to this contest saddling two runners with Alphabetic preferred to stablemate Copsale Lad and Dollar Law. The selection has been off the track since an encouraging second start over hurdles when a close third behind Tinoveritas at Newbury in December 2003 but the lack of a recent run should not be of concern as the stable's horses have been running well of late and, provided that he can jump well enough, Alphabetic may be too classy for his rivals. Stable companion Copsale Lad does not look to be the most straightforward of rides and Andrew Tinkler passes him over in favour of the selection. Richard Lee's Cinnamon Lane has been given a break since disappointing on his most recent start but is difficult to recommend on the balance of his form anyway and of more interest may be Dollar Law. The nine-year-old has run with credit in recent starts over fences and is entitled to be thereabouts but lacks the class of Alphabetic, who gets the vote.
Alphabetic 7-1 Held up in touch, led approaching 4 out, headed 2 out, hung badly left, beaten when blundered last, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Tinoveritas at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gf in Dec '03.
Cinnamon Line 4-1 In touch on outer, hit 1st and 3rd, headway 7th, mistake next, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Mr Dow Jones at N Abbot 3m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Dollar Law 16-1 Held up, headway 5 out, ridden next, 3rd when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Chef Tartare at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (C) sft.
East Lawyer (FR) 5-1 Held up mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 15, 21l behind Bright Green at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) hvy in Feb '04.
Deer Dancer 10-1 Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 16th of 18, 34l behind Junkanoo at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Jan.
Copsale Lad 5-2 Held up in touch, steady headway from 12th, challenged 4 out, every chance when blundered 3 out, no extra from next, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Liverpool Echo at Kempton 2m 4f beg chs (D) gs.
Risington 13-2 With leader, blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Thieves'glen at Leicester 2m mdn chs (E) sft, 11 ran.
Silent Gunner 50-1 In touch, blundered 7th and lost place, headway 10th to chase leaders, every chance 5 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 18, 20l behind Robber at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (F) sft.
