in touch in 5th, headway to chase leading pair before 2 out, well held when went left and mistake last
chased leader, ridden when mistake 2 out, rallied and recovered to lead when pushed left before last, ridden clear run-in, tiring final 100 yards, held on
always towards rear, never on terms
chased leaders, went 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, tired when went left last
held up well in rear, some headway into mid-division when mistake and stumbled 4th, weakened next
behind, slow and ridden 3rd, lost touch before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
headway to mid-division when slow and reminders after 3rd, headway under pressure to 5th before 2 out, soon no impression
led, hit 3 out, pressed fom 2 out, hung left and headed approaching last, kept on final 100 yards, always held
chased leaders, weakened 5th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before last
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
Last month's Uttoxeter winner Alborz is preferred to Feb Thiryfirst of the two carrying a penalty in this but one or two of their rivals had better form on the Flat and may have more scope. Alan King runs French import Rayadour and While You Wait won over 1m2f at Down Royal in June for Jim Bolger. CROPLEY was lightly-raced on the level but placed in handicaps over 1m4f at the Curragh and Leopardstown over the summer and looks just the type to excel over hurdles. His stable won this three years ago and Tony Carroll's recent acquisition is certainly worth a look here if the market speaks in his favour. Dollar Bill and Electrician may be open to improvement but Sir Fredlot could struggle to last home, even on this sharp track.
Alborz (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Prominent, led approaching 3rd, soon headed, stayed close up, went 2nd before 2 out, led going to last, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Oct beating Right To Rule (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Feb Thirtyfirst 7-4fav (10-9) Led until 3rd, not fluent 5th, bumped next, led 3 out, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Oct beating Whipcrackaway (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Coup De Grace (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, always in rear, well beaten after 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, 48l behind Mcvicar (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Cropley (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, led approaching straight, strongly pressed early straight and headed over 1f out, dropped to 3rd and no impression final furlong, 3rd of 23, 2 3/4l behind Salam Alaykum (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp 50-75 gs in Jul (flat).
Electrician 20-1 (10-9) Settled in rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 4th, under pressure before 2 out, never able to challenge, 4th of 6, 22l behind Mcvicar (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft.
Johnny Splash (IRE) 25-1 (7-13) Always towards rear, 6th of 8, 18l behind Bernisdale (8-10) at Windsor 1m 2f clm stks (5) sft in Oct (flat).
Rayadour (IRE) (9-8) 3rd of 11, 3l behind Atomic Waves (9-8) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 1f 3yo stk gd in Sep (flat).
Sir Fredlot (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 5l behind Duke Of Clarence (9-2) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct (flat).
Val D'allier (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, driven over 2f out, kept on same pace, never on terms, last of 7, 8l behind Garde La Victoire (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f n h flat 3yo (6) gs in Oct.
While You Wait (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 3f out, weakened, last of 9, 24l behind Massiyn (9-12) at Curragh 1m 2f 3yo hcp 60-100 sft in Jun (flat).
Asparella 100-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place 6f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 9, well behind Tempest Fugit (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Sep (flat).
Dollar Bill 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, progress from 2 out, went 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 10, 21l behind Mcvicar (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo hdl (3) gd in Oct.
