chased leaders, hit 1st, jumped right next, mistake 4th, went 2nd 7th, led 4 out, mistake 3 out, headed approaching next, stayed on same pace flat
held up towards rear, went 3rd when pecked 4th, closed 7th, every chance approaching 2 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace
took keen hold, jumped left, led 1st, soon headed, tracked leader, left in lead 6th, headed 4 out, mistake next, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake and pecked 2nd, headway 7th, challenged 3 out, led before next, clear flat, easily
led until 1st, soon led again, awkward 2nd, clear when not fluent next, jumped very slowly 4th and next, tried to stop and headed 6th, last 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, jumped slowly 5th, headway after 4 out, jumped slowly 3 out, close 4th 2 out, weakened flat
Charlie Pogson's Alfloramoor ran much better at Stratford last week and has claims after that effort but a better chance is seemingly held by LE BROCQUY, who looks the one to beat. Martin Keighley's gelding appreciated the return to hurdles when narrowly beaten by Arcadia Boy at Stratford recently and, with confidence from that outing, he looks worth siding with back over the larger obstacles. Paul Webber's Red Birr is bound to be popular with backers after an improved effort when chasing home Western Pride at Worcester 13 days ago but a 6lb rise for that run looks harsh and he may again have to settle for minor honours. Brendan Powell's Morestead has slipped to a fair mark and any market support for him would be of interest but a safer option looks to be Le Brocquy.
Ace High Blue (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Chased leaders on inside, lost place when not fluent 5th, headway after next, no impression approaching 3 out, 6th of 12, 17l behind January (11-2) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Le Brocquy 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, challenged approaching 2 out, led before last, headed near finish, 2nd of 10, hd behind Arcadia Boy (11-1) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Alfloramoor 11-4fav (10-13) Led until 3rd, led 6th until 8th, led 9th until ridden and demoted to 3rd approaching last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Troodos Jet (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Red Birr (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up, soon in mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, challenging when lost footing on landing 3 out, led approaching last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Western Pride (10-0) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Morestead (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Led until not fluent 6th, reminders before next, no impression after 4 out, went modest 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 7, 25l behind Morenito (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Barton Sun (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) In rear, pushed along 6th, headway to 4th approaching 4 out, stayed on from next, never going pace to get to leaders, 4th of 8, 8l behind Papradon (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp 0-90 (5) gd.
