chased leader until 7th, chased leaders, 2nd again on inside 2 out, led last, stayed on well
chased leaders, mistake and weakened after 3 out, eased before next
led, mistake and reminder 7th, headed 3 out, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off and eased before next
took keen hold, held up in last trio, went right 1st and next, ridden and struggling when mistake 2 out
raced wide, in touch, headway chasing leaders 5th, 2nd soon after 3 out until next, kept on same pace in 3rd
held up in touch, headway chasing leaders 8th, weakened 2 out
raced wide, chased leaders, went 2nd before 7th, led 3 out, ridden between last 2, headed last, kept on same pace run-in
held up in last trio, dropped to rear 6th, headway into modest 5th approaching 2 out
held up in last trio, some headway before 2 out, soon ridden and beaten
held up in touch, lost place 8th, rallied into 4th before 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on same pace run-in
Paul Nicholls will have another fancied runner in this in Alcala but he'll need to improve on his form in the spring to beat some useful handicappers. After running in the Grand National, The Romford Pele reverted to hurdles at Punchestown in April and ran a fine race behind Annibale Fly. Alzammaar was also last seen over hurdles in Ireland, at Gowran in June. He's had a spin on the Flat since and beat recent Perth second Goodbye Dancer at Aintree earlier so could go well. Jonjo O'Neill's pair Milan Bound and Listen And Learn look closely matched alongside another recent winner, the penalised Young Dillon, but the unexposed VALHALLA should relish this marathon trip so gets a tentative vote as Uncle Jimmy returns from a lengthy absence and Luccombe Down is upped in class again.
The Romford Pele (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, challenged 3 out, disputed next, ridden to lead before last, headed last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 25, 3l behind Anibale Fly (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Uncle Jimmy (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) In touch, outpaced 15th, not fluent next, kept on from 2 out, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 5, 11 1/4l behind Cogry (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f (3) sft in Feb.
Alzammaar (USA) 10-3fav (9-10) Close up, went 2nd 8f out, ridden over 4f out, lost place over 3f out, 7th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Flambeuse (9-11) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Goodbye Dancer (FR) 4-1fav (11-7) Held up in rear, mistake 4th, hampered 4 out, headway after 3 out, led next, headed flat, stayed on, held close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Mango Cap (10-3) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Valhalla (IRE) 4-1cfav (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, chased leaders next, 2nd going well approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, came clear run-in, easily, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Wild West Wind (11-7) by 7l, 11 ran.
Milan Bound (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway 10th, led 2 out, driven clear flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (3) gd in Jul beating Promanco (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Young Dillon (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leading pair, joined leaders 3rd, 2nd approaching next, led approaching 2 out, clear before last, ridden out, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Generous Chief (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Listen And Learn (IRE) 7-4jfav (10-13) Raced keenly, tracked leading pair, hit 6th, pushed along briefly after 10th, 2nd travelling well before 2 out, led last, edged left and quickened clear run-in, eased towards finish, won at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) gf in Sep beating Knight Bachelor (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Alcala (FR) 6-5fav (11-11) Tracked leader, led before 4th, took keen hold, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Impulsive American (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Luccombe Down 5-2fav (11-12) Held up in mid-division, tracked leaders 6th, close up on inside when brought down 3 out, at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
