made most, driven after 3 out, clear next, ridden and hard pressed last, kept on until headed and not much room towards finish
held up behind, pushed along before 3 out, never on terms, weakened next
held up mid-division, hit 5th, headway 4 out, chased front pair next, ridden between last 2, rallied to press winner when short of room towards finish
pressed leader, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon beaten, lost modest 4th flat
chased leaders, hit 6th, driven before 3 out, never on terms, weakened next, tailed off
close 3rd on outside, driven and lost place after 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, driven before 3 out, ridden and stayed on into modest 4th flat, no chance with leaders
held up in rear, headway after 4 out, driven after next, went 2nd 2 out, hit last, ridden and stayed on under pressure flat, edged left and led towards finish
IMPERIAL ALCAZAR (NAP) edged out Coconut Splash over 2m4f at Aintree and the runner-up had every chance when falling at the last in a hot contest at Newbury yesterday. The extra yardage here shouldn’t be a problem for Fergal O’Brien’s novice, who gets the vote. Fellow last-time winners Espoir De Romay, Glenduff and Victory Echo also carry penalties but Checkitout could be a danger if building on a third at Chepstow and Sedgefield runner-up Prince Kayf still has time on his side. Duc De Grissay was leading and going well when falling at the last at Kelso and easily holds Darius Des Sources on that run.
Espoir De Romay (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Prominent, led before 2nd, clear last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Warwick 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov beating West Cork (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 13 ran.
Glenduff (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, kept on well run-in, won at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov beating Faustinovick (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 17 ran.
Imperial Alcazar (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 6th, went 2nd next until 2nd again run-in, strong challenge last 100 yards, led post, won at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Oct beating Coconut Splash (11-0) by ns, 13 ran.
Victory Echo (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, driven clear approaching last, idled closing stages, won at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Nov beating Lossiemouth (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Checkitout (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led, kept on well from 3 out, ridden and headed run-in, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 16, 3 1/4l behind Sevarano (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Darius Des Sources (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up next, at Kelso 2m 7f (4) hvy in Nov.
Duc De Grissay (FR) 7-1 (10-12) In touch in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders before next, led between last 2, soon ridden, 2 lengths clear when fell last, at Kelso 2m 7f (4) hvy in Nov.
Prince Kayf 6-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, led between 3 out and 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Toshima (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gd in Aug.
