held up towards rear, headway before and mistake 5 out, went 2nd before 2 out on bit, shaken up and led before and not fluent last, driven out
led, clear 4th, jumped right and headed 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
in rear, headway before 5 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on towards finish
tracked leader, reminders after 4th, lost place before 6 out, soon reminders, tailed off 5 out, pulled up
tracked leaders, weakened before 5 out
Withdrawn
Jonathan England has won four times on Alba King, three times around here. But his form over fences has been erratic to say the least. Twill Stand To Us may find this an insufficient test of stamina while Muwalla hasn't shown a great deal so far over the larger obstacles and was beaten in a seller over hurdles last time. BENNYS QUEST is hardly a good thing under a penalty judged on his overall form but he at least arrives in form after a victory at Newton Abbot and must go close. Merry Minster needs more while Ginger's Lad was a long way behind Alba King at Southwell last month.
Bennys Quest (IRE) 9-4fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, effort next, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf beating Mibleu (11-0) by 6l, 5 ran.
Twill Stand To Us (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) In touch in 4th, took keen hold, went 2nd from 2nd, blundered 3rd, blundered 3 out, weakened from next, 3rd of 5, 22l behind Strobe (10-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Jul.
Muwalla 5-1 (11-2) Keen early, tracked leaders, hampered 3 out, went 2nd before next, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Emerald Glade (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sell (5) gd.
Alba King (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Prominent until jumped slowly 1st and 2nd and lost place, ridden after 5th, headway before 7th, led approaching 4 out, headed last, weakened before home turn, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Soul Magic (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp 0-100 (5) gf in Jul.
Ginger's Lad 5-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, reminders and weakened quickly 6th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Sycho Fred (10-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Jul, 7 ran.
Merry Minster 7-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway when hit 11th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, kept on to chase winner run in, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Diddley Dee (10-9) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
