keen, led, clear 2nd, ridden and hit 2f out, headed soon after, outpaced by winner
keen, held up in rear, improved to 4th 3f out, ridden and weakening when fell 2f out
soon chased leader, joined leader 2f out, led soon after, in command and eased flat
keen, in touch, ridden and weakened soon after 3f out
tracked leader, lost place soon after 2nd, jumped slowly and behind 3rd
held up, ridden and improved to 3rd 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden and weakened 3f out
ALAZAN was fairly impressive at Wincanton on his second hurdles start and he can carry his penalty to victory today at the main expense of Mohanad. The selection was well-fancied to oblige on his latest run and rewarded backers with an almost fault-free performance. This ex-Irish flat horse was the best of these on the level and it appears that he has made a smooth transition to this code. Law And Order seemed to regress on the flat and he looked to have his own ideas about the game when refusing at the second flight at Chepstow, so a bigger threat may be Mohanad. Sheena West's hurdlers are often underestimated but he looked to have some ability when third at Fontwell and the drop in trip today will suit. Strong Storm was well-fancied at Fontwell last time out but he fell early on in the race and it remains to be seen how he has come out of it; the visor tried on that occasion is now removed. Ashes Summer represents a yard that do well with their flat recruits so it would be unwise to rule out this Rock Of Gibraltar filly, however it is the proven winner Alazan who looks the one to beat.
Alazan (IRE) 4-9fav (10-12) Made all, jinked approaching 3rd, blundered 6th, clear when hit last, pushed out, won at Wincanton 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf beating Coeur Brule (10-5) by 5l, 7 ran.
Law And Order 33-1 (10-12) Led after 1st, tried to refuse and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Olofi (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd, 12 ran.
Mohanad (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Chased clear leaders, jumped left 1st, every chance after 3 out, hanging left before 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Zepnove (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Some Time Good (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Slowly away, hampered start, took keen hold, held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 6l behind Primo Dilettante (8-11) at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May (flat).
Strong Storm (USA) 10-3 (10-12) Chased leaders, left 2nd at 2nd, blundered and fell 5th, in a race won by Riptide (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (5) gf, 9 ran.
Ashes Summer (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, plugged on one pace final 2f, 5th of 9, 9l behind Samaaha (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f sks (4) pol in Sep (flat).
Coka (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) Not fluent, always in rear, driven along 4th, blundered and reminder next, soon struggling, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Evening Sunset (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
