ALDERLUCK was impressive last time and can become the second runner of the day to carry a penalty to victory. Busker Royal and Tragic Realm are the two obvious threats but there may be one or two more lurking in the shadows. Nick Gifford's runner was well beaten in a decent Sandown bumper on debut but got the better of Ballydub on his second start; form which looks pretty useful now. He did well to beat another useful sort under a penalty on his final start in a bumper and returned to action with a game success over hurdles from a decent yardstick. Busker Royal landed a bit of a touch on debut for this yard and posted another fine effort in defeat last time. He has plenty of experience and the selection will need to post an improved performance if he's to get the better of the Henderson runner. Tragic Realm has also earned his corn this season and lost nothing in defeat to a subsequent winner last time out. It was hard not to be impressed with his Ludlow victory prior to that and he has sound claims. Blue Dark may fare better now that there's some cut in the ground, Irish point winner Normally is worth a market check but Massini Moon and Rhinestone Ruby may not be seen to best effect until handicapping. We may not have seen the best of Alderluck yet either and he's taken to find sufficient improvement to make it four wins from five starts.
Alderluck (IRE) 4-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden when headed and stumbled 2 out, mistake last, kept on gamely to lead close home, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Finney (10-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Busker Royal 5-1jt-fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 9th, challenged on bit 2 out, led last, ridden soon after, no extra and headed towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Cruchain (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Tragic Realm 3-1 (11-2) Not fluent, raced on inside, led, hit 2nd and 8th, headed and hit 3 out, no impression from next, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Aux Le Bahnn (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Blue Dark (FR) 10-3 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along 7th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Star Lord (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Celian (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Made most to over 6f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 10th of 14, 45l behind Sherwani Wolf (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Finmere (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Towards rear, behind from 3rd and pulled up at the 5th in race won by Bensalem (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Fruity O'Rooney 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden to dispute 3rd approaching 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 7th of 15, 26l behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
He's The Business 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and struggling 7f out, tailed off final 4f, 12th of 14, well behind Sherwani Wolf (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Massini Moon (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Jumped right first, not fluent, always in rear, 12th of 14, 45l behind Clay Hollister (11-0) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Normally (11-7) won at Limavady 3m ire ptp sft in Oct beating Hari Abou (11-7) by a distance, 11 ran.
Rhinestone Ruby 25-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, no impression, 9th of 11, 32l behind Shenanigan (10-5) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
