led, clear 6th, mistake 14th, headed 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before last
held up, headway 7th, hit 10th, chased leader 13th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before last
prominent, mistake 4th, fell 11th
held up, headway 15th, ridden and went 3rd 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, behind 5th, blundered 9th, pulled up before next
held up, smooth headway from 13th, led 2 out, pushed out
towards rear, behind 16th, pulled up before last
mid-division, fell 12th
towards rear, hampered and unseated rider 12th
Despite the amount of runners this isn't that competitive and while Supreme Arrow sets the standard, a chance is taken with chasing debutante Alleged Slave, who hails from a stable in fine form and is the main reason Chocolate Thornton comes here when there are more prestigious meetings on. Alan King's gelding shaped with plenty of promise on his debut in a bumper here and had obviously shown plenty of promise at home, as he had been backed down to favouritism. While he has struggled in three subsequent outings over hurdles, all on soft ground, there is no doubt he is better suited to a sounder surface, something he should have here. Rated on his hurdles form he gets in here off 107 which is almost certainly nowhere near what he is capable of. Supreme Arrow did nothing wrong when winning over course and distance last month, but that was a weak contest and she certainly has more on her plate off a 6lbs higher mark. Conquer showed he has a little race in him over fences when chasing home Tyndarius at Uttoxeter last month, but he will need to find more as the Handicapper put him up 5lbs for getting beaten. Rufius lacks consistency and isn't a betting proposition, but the ex-Irish Polar Scout is interesting having shown ability over hurdles in his native country. However, with more to come from Alleged Slave now he goes chasing he is the choice.
