in touch, effort after 3 out, hard ridden to lead post
keen hold, narrow lead to 4th, weakened rapidly and pulled up before 6th
jumped right first, prominent until ridden and lost place from 6th
behind, mistake 5th, 5th and no chance when mistake 3 out, tailed off
held up, headway 6th, every chance 3 out, weakened after next
not jump well, headway 5th, weakened next, tailed off
with leader, led narrowly 4th, headed after 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened flat
prominent, took narrow lead after 3 out, hard ridden and caught post
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind when fell 5th
mistake 1st, in rear when hampered 5th, tailed off
This doesn't look the strongest of races and presents a good opportunity for Alpine Slave to get off the mark over timber. Josh Gifford's charge was in the process of running a big race against useful rivals in a Class C event at Plumpton earlier in the week before taking a tumble. In light of this quick reappearance it is fair to assume that the gelding has suffered no ill effects from the experience and he should take advantage of this significant ease in grade. Ludlow bumper winner Musimaro had his limitations exposed when well beaten on his hurdling debut at the same venue in January and needs to have improved considerably for the experience to trouble the selection. Trusting Paddy was far from disgraced behind the well regarded Backbeat at Newbury on Friday and can reach a place if over those exertions while Ojays Alibi wasn't beaten far on his hurdling bow at Taunton last month and is open to improvement.
