took keen hold, tracked leader, led, pecked 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden, headed approaching last, weakened flat
held up keen in rear, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching last, ridden clear flat
jumped left, in touch to 5th, kept on flat
tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, 2 length down, disputing 3rd when fell 3 out
led, hit 1st, headed 5th, ridden after 4 out, weakened after 3 out
Several of these would be closely matched on their hurdles ratings, so only a tentative vote of confidence is given to chasing debutante Allumee, who is expected to know what is required of him and he is taken to edge out Detonateur and Lord Lington. There may also be more to come from Rhapsody Rose, who is open to plenty of improvement and she comes here with a more solid profile than Moorlaw, whom she defeated over timber at Bangor last season and should at least confirm her superiority today. However, it would be a little risky to take on face value her proximity to Albuhera at Wetherby last month, as the winner was not fully tuned up on that occasion and he would have found more if asked. Lord Lington, who beat Kelami when trained on the Flat in France, has not lived up to the promise of his early career runs and was thus a surprise winner of a handicap hurled at Warwick last month. He is obviously in good heart at present but has more on his plate for his chasing debut and may be best watched. Detonateur looked a very useful prospect a couple of seasons ago and will be dangerous to rule out. He did not beat much on his chasing debut though and looks vulnerable to an improver. Which is exactly what he will face in the shape of Allumee, who has been steadily brought along by Phillip Hobbs. Ground conditions should be ideal for this son of Alflora and he is expected to be primed for his first try over fences in public.
Allumee 10-11fav (11-2) Always prominent, led after 5th, clear approaching flat, eased flat, won at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Oct beating Turbo (11-2) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Lord Lington (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Held up rear, headway after 5th, ridden to lead 2 out, ridden out, won at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Oct beating Lerubis (10-7) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Blaise Wood (USA) 25-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden, weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, well behind Indian Star (10-12) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (G) sft.
Moorlaw (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, in touch until weakened after 3 out, last of 8, 16l behind Rooster's Reunion (11-6) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (E) gf in Oct.
Rhapsody Rose 12-1 (10-0) Chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 24l behind Albuhera (11-6) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (E) sft in Oct.
Detonateur (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway from 10th, hit 11th, led on bit 12th, ridden and ran on well from 3 out, mistake last, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (D) gd in Oct beating Mylo (11-0) by 8l, 9 ran.
