prominent, led 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed towards finish
held up, headway 11th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden after 10th, weakening when blundered 4 out
jumped left, led to 6th, hit 4 out, every chance 3 out, weakening when hampered 2 out
held up, headway 6th, every chance and going well when fell 2 out
prominent to 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
Nonrunner
Lack of chasing experience is of concern but Villon was easily the best of these over hurdles, has always looked a chaser in the making and gets the vote to make a winning debut over fences at the main expense of Monte Vista and Alderburn. The last mentioned has the benefit of having had one start over the larger obstacles and should come on for the run behind Copsale Lad at Lingfield but needs to if he is to trouble the judge. Alfie's Sun was pulled up on his return and, while it is probably too soon to write him off completely, he may be best watched at present. Samby is potentially interesting but has along absence to overcome, while Muhtenbar is becoming frustrating having failed to complete in his last three starts. Jonjo O'Neill's lightly raced Monte Vista probably has more solid claims and it will be interesting to see if their is any money for him but Villon has always looked likely to make a chaser and is taken to make a winning debut before going on to better things.
Alderburn 10-1 (11-7) In touch, tracked winner after 11th, ridden before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 13, 20l behind Copsale Lad (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Oct.
Alfie's Sun 25-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 9th, weakened 12th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mount Clerigo (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (E) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Bengo (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 8th, blundered 13th and 14th, weakened approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Idle Talk (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (D) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Dolmur (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Led, ridden approaching last, headed close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Sissinghurst Storm (10-4) at Hereford 3m 2f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gf in Apr.
Dramatic Quest 14-1 (11-9) Held up, blundered 4th, reminders after 6th, ridden 9th, headway 11th, held when fell 3 out in race won by Celtic Boy (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in May, 8 ran.
Launde (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Hit 9th, mistake 9th, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 11, 27l behind Without A Doubt (11-5) at Sandown 2m beg chs (D) gs in Nov.
Monte Vista (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, some headway 8th, one pace, never nearer, 6th of 13, 45l behind Copsale Lad (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Oct.
Tails I Win 7-1 (10-3) Always behind, 11th of 16, 47l behind Phildari (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf in Jul.
Thorpeness (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Presenting Express (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
Jeanie's Last 150-1 (10-5) In touch, hit 5th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by High Day (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) hvy in Nov, 17 ran.
Muhtenbar 12-1 (10-13) Led, headed when fell 4 out in race won by Julius Caesar (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (E) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Samby 3-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway to join leaders 4 out, weakened quickly approaching 3 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Diamant Noir (11-5) at Doncaster 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Jan '04, 7 ran.
Villon (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, 17th of 20, well behind Arcalis (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
