in rear, fell 1st
mid-division, lost place 6th, ridden and some headway 10th, weakened next
chased leaders when ran out 2nd
in touch, ridden and weakened 12th, behind and pulled up last
held up mid-division, headway 12th, mistake and went 3rd 3 out, blundered next, soon weakened
in rear, hampered 1st, headway after 12th, went 3rd 2 out, soon chased winner, 2 lengths down when looked held, blundered and unseated rider last
close up, mistake 8th, chased leader 12th, led 2 out, left clear last
held up, ridden 12th, never troubled leaders
made most until headed 2 out, soon weakened, left poor 2nd last
with leader until approaching 12th
held up in rear, kept on, never nearer
in touch, ridden 9th, weakened 12th
Lord Alfred figures prominently in our thoughts following a return to form, Lease Back, Gus and American World also figure but it's ALFADORA who is preferred. The selection hasn't shone since landing a handicap hurdle in September but he has made the frame in two of his three visits here and is more than capable of winning from his present mark. The conditions will present no problem and it's worth taking the chance that he can bounce back. Lord Alfred made a pleasing return to action and form at Uttoxeter but may ideally be suited by a stiffer test than this whilst American World, who was well backed at Newton Abbot, still has to prove that he's up to the job and his yard continues to find winners hard to come by. Gus has run a couple of sound races this winter so enters calculations along with Lease Back who hasn't done badly since being switched back to fences but it's hard to see why a visor should transform the claims of Craven who usually flatters to deceive. Instead, we'll look to his stablemate Alfadora.
Lease Back (FR) 11-1 (10-9) In rear and keen, joined leaders 12th, hampered and left in lead 2 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Victor Daly (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Lord Alfred (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Led until slightly hampered 2nd, remained prominent, close 4th when mistake 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Even Flo (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Billy Murphy 80-1 (11-1) Chased leader to halfway, soon behind, 9th of 11, 49l behind Cast Iron Casey (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Corrib Drift (USA) 12-1 (10-7) Towards rear, mistake 6th, headway from 10th, chased leader 13th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 9, 31l behind Free Gift (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Alfadora 7-1 (11-8) Hit 1st, never travelling in rear, jumped left from 10th, behind and pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Wednesday Country (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Feb, 10 ran.
American World (FR) 11-4fav (10-10) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden in 3 lengths down in 3rd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Ede'iff (10-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Mar, 8 ran.
Leopold (SLO) 11-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, left modest fourth 10th, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 9, 14l behind Stagecoach Amber (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Craven (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) In touch, led 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 32l behind Silver Adonis (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Gus 7-1 (11-9) In touch, carried right 1st, behind from 3rd, kept on from 2 out, 4th of 9, 12l behind First Boy (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Strident (USA) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden, lost place 6th, struggling 9th, tailed off, 7th of 11, 44l behind Sula's Legend (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Majy D'auteuil (FR) 10-1 (9-11) Held up in touch, badly hampered 5 out, not recover, soon pulled up, in a race won by Aheadofhistime (10-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 10 ran.
Log On Intersky (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, rallied 8th, chased winner approaching 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 6l behind First Boy (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
