held up towards rear, headway when hampered 7th when 2nd 9th, led 3 out pushed out
held up mid-division, headway after 6th, 2nd and every chance 2 out, hung left after last, weakened
prominent, weakened 8th, stayed on from 2 out without troubling leaders
held up mid-division, headway after 6th, outpaced from 3 out, stayed on flat
prominent until weakened after 6th, in rear when hampered and unseated rider 7th
tracked leader, led approaching 4th, headed after 5th, led again when hampered 7th, soon weakened
in touch, led briefly after 6th, prominent when fell 7th
prominent, ridden and weakened 7th tailed off when pulled up 3 out
led to 4th, led briefly 6th, weakened and reminders after 9th, soon behind
in rear, lost touch 7th
held up mid-division, in touch until ridden and weakened 4th out, 6th and no chance when pulled up before last
always in rear, pulled up before 3 out
Alexanderthegreat, Bison King and Villa looks the main protagonists here, and we will side with the first mentioned. The gelding from the Paul Nicholls yard was a fair second over course and distance behind Copsale Lad last time. He is sure to be suited by the step up in trip, and with Nick Williams taking a handy 7lbs off, he will be hard to beat. Bison King rates the main danger and he was a good winner when defeating Montemoss last time. But that was over a longer trip, and he will find this more difficult under his penalty now that he is dropped in trip. Villa was a good winner of his last two bumpers in 2002, and he is sure to have been well-schooled for this his hurdling debut. He represents the Pipe/McCoy team, and should be noted in the market, although he may just need the run after such a lengthy absence from the track. Of the remainder, Keepers Mead is from a yard in form and would have chances on his best form, but he was well-beaten under his penalty last time so will have to improve to trouble the principles here. This is not an easy race for punters to fathom, but Alexanderthegreat looks to have solid claims and gets the vote.
