tracked leader, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, one pace
prominent, went 2nd at 10th, led 2 out, stayed on well
led, ridden and headed 2 out, in 2nd and looking one pace when blundered and unseated rider last
always behind, stumbled slightly on bend after 9th, never dangerous when blundered 2 out
held up in touch, fell 7th
held up, hit 5th, mistake 10th and 12th, pushed along to chase leaders after 3 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, in 2nd from 6th, blundered badly 7th, soon lost place, headway after 3 out, one pace
ALBERTAS RUN is preferred following a scintillating performance at Ascot and he's taken to get the better of Deep Purple and Tidal Bay. Tidal Bay never appeared to be entirely happy last season but he shaped with much more promise in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree in October having had a wind operation in the summer. Cheekpieces may well be of benefit to a horse that has an awkward head carriage and he's the clear pick at the weights if going the right way from his reappearance. Racing Demon won this race in 2006 and 2007 but faces a stronger line-up this year and has been off the track since finishing down the field at Sandown in April 2008. Tartak is another with something to prove following two lacklustre runs and the yard's form remains a cause for concern whilst Something Wells (who has a good record when fresh) faces a big hike in class following his victory in the Festival Plate in March. Deep Purple proved his doubters wrong when getting up on the line in the Charlie Hall but this intermediate trip is nearer his optimum and the track should suit ideally. Herecomesthetruth posted a career best performance at Down Royal but he isn't entirely straightforward and there will be a greater emphasis on speed here than there was in Ireland. Albertas Run failed to get his head in front last season but ran some fine races in defeat, notably when finishing second in the King George VI. Connections took the surprising option to step him back in trip ahead of his reappearance but a positive ride from McCoy saw him have a smart field in trouble from some way out and it may prove to be the turning point for the horse. He faces a far stiffer task at today's weights and this is a sharper track but there was plenty to like about his performance at Ascot and Albertas Run may be able to run them ragged.
Albertas Run (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Always prominent, led 10th, hard driven and challenged 2 out, ran on well, won at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov beating Planet Of Sound (11-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Deep Purple 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leader to 12th, remained close up, ridden and outpaced when not fluent 2 out, rallied to lead final 75 yards, just held on, won at Wetherby 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct beating Tamarinbleu (11-0) by hd, 5 ran.
Herecomesthetruth (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Made all, jumped well, wandered around early and passing stable yard gate, ridden before 3 out, stayed on best under pressure run-in to soon draw clear, won at Down Royal 2m 4f chs G2 sft in Nov beating Forpadydeplasterer (11-12) by 6l, 4 ran.
Racing Demon (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Close up on inner, pecked 15th, steadily lost place, well behind 4 out, 10th of 19, 23l behind Monkerhostin (10-13) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '08.
Something Wells (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 10th, chased clear leader after 12th, ridden after 3 out, led last, edged left, all out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar beating Ping Pong Sivola (10-0) by 3/4l, 23 ran.
Tartak (FR) 18-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hit 6th, behind from 11th, tailed off, 8th of 16, well behind Tranquil Sea (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, chased winner approaching 3 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Monet's Garden (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs (1) gs in Oct.
