chased leaders to halfway, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, effort after 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
close up, led 2nd, headed approaching 3 out, no extra from 2 out
towards rear, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, weakened halfway
chased leaders, outpaced 12th, kept on one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway and in touch 5th, weakened 12th
in touch, pushed along and headway when mistake 12th, soon ridden and outpaced
led to 2nd, led again approaching 3 out, clear after 2 out, easily
Not a particularly hot race but one in which Alco makes more appeal than Le Royal and Fairy Skin Maker. Ferdy Murphy's charge has been well backed ahead of each of his British starts and he looks to have been found a suitable opportunity here. He did not do too much wrong behind Classic Capers at Doncaster and the fact that the pair were well clear suggests that a race of this nature is well within his compass. Le Royal never figured in a stronger event at Haydock Park. He had some ability over hurdles and is watched in the market for any positive vibes. Fairy Skin Maker has not won for over a year. He seems to show his better form when the mud is flying and unless their is a substantial deluge over the Christmas period - that looks unlikely. Mr Prickle will doubtless have been brought along as an embryonic chaser and would be considered were his stable in better form. Valeureux has ability but is an exceptionally quirky individual. He has a BHB hurdles rating that is much in excess of the majority of these and should have benefited for a recent pipe-opener at Wolverhampton. Alco looks to have all the ticks in the right boxes and looks difficult to get away from in the opener.
Cody 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and weakened between last 2, 8th of 13, 12l behind Maunby Rocker (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) sft in Nov.
Dark Ben (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Ungaro (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Fairy Skin Maker (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden and no impression, 8th of 17, 29l behind River Mist (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd.
Kingfisher Sunset 33-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, 14th of 16, 32l behind Welcome To Unos (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Le Royal (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Not fluent 7th, mistake 3 out, always behind, 5th of 10, 37l behind Another Native (10-9) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft.
Mr Prickle (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, well behind Primitive Poppy (10-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gs in May.
Valeureux 25-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, last of 10, 45l behind Smart Boy Prince (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs.
New Alco (FR) 13-8fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leader 2 out, stayed on under pressure, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Classic Capers (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (E) gs.
