in touch, headway 4 out, soon one pace
held up, headway after 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened when not fluent 2 out
led, headed after 8th, soon weakened
in touch, headway 4 out, led approaching last, driven out
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd line
behind from 5th, struggled on
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out
in touch, led after 8th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden 6th, headway approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway on inside 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway to lead approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, one pace flat
tracked leaders and keen, ridden 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before last
tracked leader, hit 2nd, ridden and weakened 4 out, pulled up before last
always in rear, pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Barneys Lyric and Supreme Piper are both well-treated on old form however in an open-looking race it is Alternator who receives the vote ahead of Old School. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding makes his handicap debut today and as he has shown plenty of promise in three hurdles starts to date, a big run is expected having already shown his ability to act on any ground. Deep Reflection won well last time out but has more on his case now after a 7lb rise, whilst Old School returns from a break; the market should help guide to his fitness levels. Lord Lington looks high enough in the weights at present so a more likely danger could prove to be Ile De Paris assuming his jumping is better than last time. Boyastara is better than he showed last time out and should not be too easily overlooked, however it is Alternator who receives the nomination.
Lord Lington (FR) 11-1 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed approaching last, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 27l behind Hill Forts Timmy (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Alternator (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leader until led 4th, clear after 9th until weakened and headed close home, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Gone To Lunch (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Tanterari (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Towards rear, never a factor, 9th of 13, 35l behind Bowleaze (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Ballyfitz 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 6th and lost place, badly hampered 9th, blundered 14th, 5th and no impression when blundered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Gungadu (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gs in Oct '06, 8 ran.
Ile de Paris (FR) 3-1 (10-10) Held up, close up approaching 9th, ridden and mistake 3 out, every chance when fell 3 out in race won by Canada Street (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 7 ran.
Ice Crystal 50-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, tailed off 7th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Blue Splash (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Boyastara (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, weakened 9th, soon behind, tailed off, last of 15, well behind Not Left Yet (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Deep Reflection 16-1 (10-10) Always prominent, raced wide, joined leader 5th, led before 4 out, headed next, led and hit 2 out, ridden out, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd beating Mikado Melody (10-4) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Barneys Lyric 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, mistake 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 25l behind Franco (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Insignia (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, weakened, 8th of 18, 20l behind The Tother One (10-8) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
A Toi A Moi (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Held up behind leaders, chased winner 12th, stumbled 4 out, every chance when fell 2 out in race won by Lankawi (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf in Mar, 4 ran.
Shoudawoudacouda (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mostly raced in 2nd, stumbled 3rd, not fluent 7th, weakened approaching 9th, well behind when blundered badly 2 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Risk Runner (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov, 18 ran.
Flemens River (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 11l behind Cryptic (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Supreme Piper (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Led, clear 8th, headed 2 out, weakened, 5th of 12, 18l behind Inishturk (10-6) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov '06.
Mickey Pearce (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Tracked leaders, tracked leader after 4th, ridden 4 out and weakened, 8th of 10, 45l behind Sninfia (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f cnd sll hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Old School (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, progress to lead after 4 out, joined and ridden from next, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-102 hvy in Jan beating Hows Trix (10-1) by 2l, 30 ran.
Carew Lad 14-1 (11-2) Led to 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Insignia (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jul.