made all, soon clear, not fluent 5th, unchallenged
chased clear winner, mistake 1st, effort approaching 2 out, no impression
held up, reminders after 4th, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders in 3rd, no impression from 4 out,
held up, some headway 7th, weakened next
held up in touch, ridden and weakened from 7th, pulled up before 2 out
Alaipour could be the one to be on here ahead of Fair Question and Verchoyles Lad. The selection is sent over from Ireland for this race and commands plenty of respect based on the promise he showed in a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in May, particularly as the easy winner that day, Corporate Express has since gone on to land a fairly valuable handicap. Much as fellow Irish raider Verchoyles Express might be sent off as favourite here, he has never raced over hurdles although he has looked progressive in winning his last two chases, but over trips of three-and-a-quarter miles. He should go well, especially as Paul Carberry has come over to take the ride. Fair Question comes into the reckoning based on his Huntingdon maiden hurdle win in March, even though he disappointed at Uttoxeter last time. Of the others, Brooklyn Brownie won a Hexham bumper last June but has shown little in two runs since. Overall, then, unless the betting tells a hugely-different story, we will take our chance on Alaipour.
