mid-division, ridden 5th, soon struggling and lost touch
close up, chased leader 3 out, mistake and led 2 out, soon joined, driven last, stayed on
held up in last place, improved 3 out, weakened next
chased clear leader until 3 out, soon ridden, joined winner and every chance between final 2 flights, driven and awkward on landing last, no extra towards finish
led, clear 2nd, ridden 3 out, headed next, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, never dangerous
RED MOLONEY and Treaty Flyer look the two to concentrate on here and it is the first-named who edges the vote. Howard Johnson's gelding was a gallant fifth in the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham in March before disappointing at Aintree. He won't be the first horse to do that and then bounce back and seeing as he was so impressive in the early stages of last season then it seems appropriate to back him here. Noble Request would have walked this were it 2006 but the fact that he has been off for 1027 days must temper enthusiasm; it would be some advert for the yard were he to prevail. Treaty Flyer on the other hand has been making hay recently, winning his last three starts in competitive handicaps. Katies Tuitor has not had a good 2009 but he has won here before and so cannot be completely ruled out, Medicinal has been campaigned as a chaser and he has plenty of ability; his trainer tends to do well at this meeting. Old timer Alph had a cracking 2008 but it is hard to see him taking this, and so we are happy to stick with Red Moloney.
Alph 7-1 (11-4) Held up, hit 3 out, ridden before next, little impression, weakened flat, 7th of 8, 21l behind Alsadaa (11-0) at Sandown 2m Lstd hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Katies Tuitor 16-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, fell 5th, in a race won by Treaty Flyer (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep, 17 ran.
Noble Request (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Held up last, headway to track leading pair 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Jazz Messenger (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec '06.
Red Moloney (USA) 9-2 (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 11, well behind El Dancer (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Treaty Flyer (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Chased leader, led approaching 3 out, ran on gamely, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd beating Oldrik (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Medicinal (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up, headway and in touch 9th, outpaced when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 20l behind Tell Henry (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
