raced keenly, in touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, not reached leaders
disputed lead to 2f out, kept on well to take 2nd, always held inside final furlong
started slowly, soon in touch, ridden along over 2f out, not paced to challenge, one pace final furlong
raced wide behind, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
dwelt, always towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous
pulled hard, prominent, chased leaders 2f out, soon ridden and one pace final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
always behind, struggling over 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not troubled leaders
Alphun may improve enough to open his account at the expense of Mothecombe Dream and Il Panzo who clash again for the second time in eight days. The quick drop to claiming company can see Alphun step up on his recent second over the course and distance last week. Brian Meehan's charge was sent off as the market leader then on the strength of an encouraging debut here at the start of December, but failed to quicken when asked to close in on the other fancied runner Aggravation, and was well held. However, the drop to this level should bring immediate reward against much more exposed opponents including Mothecombe Dream and Il Pranzo. They met in this grade at Wolverhampton last week, with Il Pranzo holding sway by two lengths. On this occasion though, Mothecombe Dream can turn the tables, being much better off at the weights, and can soon pay his way for his new connections. The rest of today's line-up are all out of form at present and so it is to the lightly-raced Alphun who we turn to as the selection.
