chased leaders, struggling 3 out, soon beaten
held up in touch, headway when hit 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
held up last, headway approaching 2 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, no extra and lost 2 places near finish
tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, kept on well, driven out
tracked leaders, hit 1st, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up, ridden and headway 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on, went 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
led, soon clear, not fluent 3rd, ridden and headed when not fluent 2 out, weakened last
This looks a good bit of placing by Paul Nicholls and AMERICAN TRILOGY should see off the likes of Songe and Numide with little difficulty. A winner of the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, the selection followed that up with a good second at Aintree. Considering he fluffed his lines at a couple of hurdles that was a good effort and with this more testing track likely to suit he looks hard to oppose. Songe is rated a pound higher but he has a 4lb penalty to carry this afternoon. Charlie Longsdon's stable star is dropped in trip today which could suit and his form at the turn of the year shows that he is a major player today. Sporazene is a stablemate of the selection but he looks the second-string; Harry Skelton is unable to claim in this race and although he gets on very well with the chaser-cum-hurdler, it is hard to see him prevailing after a six month break. Numide has threatened to win a big handicap this season but he hasn't and he won't win this unless the track sees a lot of rain, whilst Alph is game and consistent and is no back number at the age of 12, but he shouldn't be good enough here. American Trilogy certainly is and he is backed to win.
Songe (FR) 150-1 (11-7) Mostly mid-division, ridden and struggling approaching 3 out, 13th of 15, 42l behind Solwhit (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gs.
Alph 250-1 (11-10) Taken to post early, mid-division, ridden 5th, soon struggling, 16th of 23, well behind Punjabi (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
American Trilogy (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, led approaching last, kept on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind El Dancer (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd.
Numide (FR) 4-1 (10-9) Held up last, headway after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, hung right flat, 5th of 7, 27l behind Hills Of Aran (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Alsadaa (USA) 33-1 (11-7) Prominent, led approaching 5th, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out, 12th of 21, 30l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl 4yo+ (2) gs.
Cedrus Libani (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Chased leader until 3 out, soon behind, 24th of 27, well behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Gringo 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leader, disputed lead 2 out, ridden and led halfway up flat, driven out, won at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar beating Ormus (10-8) by 3l, 7 ran.
Sporazene (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Led, hit 3 out, headed well before 2 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 7, 13l behind Snap Tie (11-5) at Kempton 2m hdl (2) gd in Oct.
