led 2nd, ridden before 2 out, driven and joined last, headed and unable to quicken run-in
in touch, bumped 5th, headway to 2nd before 9th where not fluent, lost 2nd approaching 3 out, soon weakened
close up, driven in 3rd after 3 out, stayed on under pressure to challenge before last, led run-in, driven out
held up in last trio, well behind and struggling 9th, tailed off
held up in rear, steady headway on inner approaching 3 out, 4th when hit 2 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on steadily into 3rd run-in
took keen hold, tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd 5th to next, regained 2nd approaching 3 out, driven to challenge 2 out, in 3rd, no extra before last, weakened run-in
held up in last trio, 7th and struggling 3 out, kept on after next
in touch, lost place before 7th, soon struggling, tailed off
led to 2nd, tracked leader until jumped left and bumped 5th, regained 2nd 6th to 8th, weakened rapidly, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
This is another decent race on this card and while Abbevillian sets the standard we have been slightly more impressed ALDERTUNE, who can go one better this time, while Dawn Choir likes these conditions and should run a big race too. A testing conditions specialist the pick went a long way to confirming the promised he shown in his winning bumper career with a good second place in bottomless ground behind a subsequent winner last time. The return of Ruby Walsh to the plate is another positive and he should continue his progressive profile. Abbevillian easily scored over this trip in soft ground in a similar race last time. That run was an improved effort from his jumping debut and his bumper form is impressive so another bold bid is expected. Dawn Choir only found a form animal too good last time over course and distance in bottomless ground and having won a maiden hurdle the time before he is a leading player here while No Principles is the only other to make strong appeal after some recent good runs but we are unsure about whether the ground suits. Another good contest on the cards here with Aldertune maybe just getting the conditions to suit.
Abbevillian (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Pressed leader 2nd, led after 5th, driven clear flat, won at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov beating Wayward Prince (10-12) by 5l, 9 ran.
Dawn Choir (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Raced on outside, held up in touch, headway into 2nd 3 out, every chance 2 out, chased winner after, stayed on same pace last, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Quartano (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Aldertune (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after 2 out, soon hung left, stayed on to go 2nd flat but not trouble winner, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Silver Kate (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Aztec Treasure (NZ) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, pushed along approaching 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 14, 50l behind My Shamwari (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Global Warming (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, travelling well, stayed on same pace from next, 5th of 16, 18l behind A French Horse (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
No Principles 18-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, chased winner after 2 out, stayed on from last, held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Larks Lad (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Oamaru Stone (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, under pressure before 4 out, soon no impression, 6th of 9, 35l behind Possol (10-12) at Ascot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Quickdraw 40-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway halfway, weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, 36l behind Watching Football (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd in May '08.
Snow Kaddy 28-1 (11-0) Close up, lost place over 4f out, 6th of 7, well behind Teenage Kicks (10-11) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) hvy in Nov.
