held up in touch on outer, 5th when not fluent 14th, rallied into 2nd 3 out, every chance next, ridden and outpaced by front pair between last 2, stayed on to regain 2nd near finish, no impression
with leader, led 8th, headed when blundered and rider lost iron briefly 11th, led again before next, headed before 5 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
made most to 8th, in touch, lost place and behind from 12th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
prominent, mistake 10th, led next, headed before 12th, lost place next, ridden and weakened before 5 out, behind when pulled up before next
blundered 1st, held up in touch, went prominent on outside 10th, challenged 5 out, ridden before next, soon outpaced, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last, dismounted
tracked leaders on inside, outpaced 5 out, rallied 2 out, soon challenged and every chance, ridden before last, held flat, lost 2nd near finish
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 13th, led before 5 out, driven clear 4 out to next, soon ridden and hard pressed, stayed on well from last
Mister Don doesn’t do anything in a hurry so this sort of trip suits and he is the only previous course winner in the line-up. Alvarado will be a teenager in a few days time but he ran a cracker on his reappearance at Exeter and has been placed in Aintree and Scottish Grand Nationals. Tom George runs two but stamina could be an issue with Some Are Lucky, who has only won a Southwell maiden hurdle so far. A GOOD SKIN owes supporters plenty but 2m4f last time at Huntingdon would have been too short and he’s now 10lb lower than his last win over fences. Mercers Court, Capard King and Royale Knight all have a bit to prove at present.
Alvarado (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway before 4 out, kept on same pace in 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 4 1/4l behind Gingili (11-7) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Some Are Lucky (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) In touch on outside, ridden after 2 out (usual 5 out), soon outpaced, weakened after last (usual 4 out), tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Vintage Clouds (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Royale Knight 20-1 (12-1) In touch on inside, lost place when jumped slowly 13th, soon lost touch, pulled up before next, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Mercers Court (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leader, hit 9th, ridden and lost 2nd before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened soon after 2 out, 7th of 8, 26 1/4l behind Sandhurst Lad (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
A Good Skin (IRE) 5-2fav (12-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 6th until 12th, outpaced after 3 out, disputing 6 lengths 2nd 2 out, rallied last, stayed on, not able to challenge, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Compadre (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Capard King (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Jumped left, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Jennys Surprise (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Mister Don (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden from 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 19 1/2l behind Audacious Plan (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
