steady progress from 10th, went 4th approaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd, run in, not reach leaders
mid-division, headway after 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, 5th and held when fell 3 out
led until 3rd, chased leaders until lost place 7th, behind from 12th, tailed off
led 3rd until 7th, pressed winner, every chance when pecked 2 out, no extra
mid-division, tracked leaders 9th, ridden after 13th, challenged for 2nd 3 out, hung left approaching last, weakened run-in
held up, headway after 10th, ridden after 13th, kept on same pace from next
chased leaders until 7th, lost touch 11th, tailed off
chased leaders until 11th, soon behind, tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 4th, soon dropped rear, tailed off
in touch, led approaching 7th, hit 2 out, stayed on strongly, ridden out
Dream Alliance has by far the best hurdle rating in this race and if tranforming that he has what it takes to win at the expense of Bowleaze and Down The Stretch. The selection comes from a yard in top form and he was not discredited when fifth behind Desert Tommy at Chepstow over hurdles last time out. He has his debut over the bigger obstacles here and is bound to be well schooled and if putting in a clear round he will be difficult to beat. Bowleaze was a course and distance winner on his penultimate start and looked good in the process but that he was a faller last time out at Wincanton and it is yet to be seen how his confidence has been affected. Down The Stretch showed his first real sign of ability last time out when winning over course and distance. He beat Dream Falcon who reopposes today by four lengths and if improving with confidence will be a danger to the selection. But for the winner we return to Dream Alliance.
Bowleaze (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) fell 1st in race won by Turko (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd, 5 ran.
Down The Stretch 10-3 (10-13) Held up in touch, chased leader 4 out, mistake 3 out, left clear 2 out, won at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (3) gf beating Dream Falcon (10-6) by 4l, 9 ran.
Captain Aubrey (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led to 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Don't Push It (11-0) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Oct, 12 ran.
Dream Falcon 11-2 (10-6) In touch, chased leaders 4 out, hampered and left 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Down The Stretch (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (3) gf.
Get My Drift (IRE) 13-8fav (10-13) Held up mid-division, steady headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders and mistake 2 out, every chance after last, one pace, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Flight Leader (10-13) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Howrwenow (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 14th, ridden 3 out, kept on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind The Duckpond (11-0) at Warwick 3m nov chs (D) sft in Dec.
Kilcarty (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Mid to rear, mistake 3rd, behind from 13th, 7th of 12, well behind Heltornic (10-7) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (3) gs in Oct.
Dream Alliance 3-1fav (10-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, one pace, 5th of 16, 9l behind Desert Tommy (10-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
