tracked leaders, went prominent 9th, going well and every chance when fell 4 out
prominent, not fluent 6th, led after 9th, ridden and headed 4 out, stayed on well run in
held up, headway after 9th, led 4 out, clear 2 out, soon ridden, all out
led, headed after 9th, soon ridden, one pace when left 3rd 4 out
held up, headway after 9th, weakening when left 4th 4 out
chased leaders until weakened after 9th, behind when not fluent and unseated rider 2 out
Alexanderthegreat showed much improved form over hurdles last term and has the build to make a chaser but lack of experience here is of concern and preference is for Limerick Leader, who gets the vote over stablemate Out The Black. The last mentioned was probably flattered by his defeat of another inmate Willie John Daly on his rules debut over course and distance last month but, following a subsequent defeat behind Ollie Magern at Cheltenham, the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding resumed winning ways at Ludlow last week. He has to be respected but stablemate Limerick Leader has a touch of class and is taken to resume winning ways. A 135-rated hurdler, the son of Supreme Leader did not wear his usual blinkers when beaten on his chasing debut behind Baron Windrush but the headgear was back on when the six-year-old responded well to a hard Richard Johnson drive at Chepstow. Limerick Leader got no further than the second fence before unseating Johnson at the second fence in Comply Or Die's race at Cheltenham last week and is worth another chance today. Alexanderthegreat has an obvious chance on hurdling form but the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding has yet to jump a fence in public and that is of concern. He still makes more appeal than stablemate Combat Drinker. A winning pointer, he was well held on his rules debut behind Willie John Daly over course and distance last month. Noble Baron showed progressive form over hurdles last term but is highly tried on his chasing debut here, while No Collusion has a long absence to overcome and is probably best watched in a race that is taken to go to Limerick Leader.
