led, joined 10th, headed and hit 4 out, lost place quickly and ridden, soon beaten, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, mid-division 12th, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out, pulled up before last
held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on one pace, never on terms
prominent, joined leader 10th, headed 4 out, led again 2 out, soon pushed along, ridden out run-in, stayed on well
handy, led 4 out, headed 2 out, ridden before last, no extra after last
mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before last
towards rear, headway before 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden and stayed on well run-in, no impression on winner
Amalfi Doug is the only one with fitness assured as he's been on the go through the summer, whereas none of the opposition have seen a racecourse for 186 days and upwards. SIRWILLIAMWALLACE (NAP) graduates from the novice ranks now into open handicaps and looks fairly treated. He has scope for considerable progress over fences and is the sort his yard do well with. Nick Alexander has his string in good form and Up Helly Aa King is expected to contest the business end as he's well suited to track and conditions. Buster Valentine returns after an absence on a first run for Mark Walford but Calipso Collonges makes more appeal for the shortlist off a good mark for the in-form Murphy team.
Amalfi Doug (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Led, ridden after 2 out, headed 110 yards out, kept on, no extra and lost second towards finish, last of 3, 1 1/2l behind Quartz Du Rheu (11-9) at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Buster Valentine (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led next, hard pressed last, ridden out flat, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating River Frost (11-1) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Up Helly Aa King 15-2 (11-12) Midfield, lost place approaching 4 out, good headway to go third 2 out, kept on one pace from last, 3rd of 14, 6 1/2l behind Well Above Par (10-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Calipso Collonges (FR) 22-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 9th, headway after 15th, went 4th flat, unable to challenge, stayed on, 4th of 13, 5 1/2l behind Happygolucky (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Sirwilliamwallace (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 15th until after 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 13, 16 1/4l behind One More Fleurie (10-12) at Ayr 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Exit To Where (FR) 10-3 (10-4) Mid-division, took closer order 9th, ridden to challenge 2 out (usual 3 out), led after last (usual 2 out, stayed on strongly flat, won at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gs in May beating Bafana Blue (11-1) by 12l, 8 ran.
Caboy (FR) 16-1 (12-0) Prominent until 3rd, chased leaders, 4th 4 out, no extra when mistake 2 out, 4th of 10, 19 3/4l behind Roxboro Road (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
