held up, mid-division, headway before 2 out, one pace and no impression
led, ridden and headed before last, rallied to regain lead run-in, driven out
held up, towards rear, weakened before 3 out
tracked leader, ridden to lead before last, headed run-in, kept on towards finish
held up, mid-division, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last
in rear, took keen hold, mistake 1st, tailed off from 3 out, puled up
held up, towards rear, in 5th from 3 out, went 4th from 2 out, one pace and no impression
tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, kept on to take place run-in
Alcock And Brown is the only newcomer in the line-up but it wouldn't be a shock to see Dan Skelton's new recruit from Ireland making his presence felt. Blagapar is another former Irish hurdler who showed nothing between the flags but belied a starting price of 50/1 when runner-up to Sweet Cherry at Kilbeggan. The winner has been beaten a couple of times since though hasn't run badly. Ali Bin Nayef, a moderate maiden on the Flat, was totally unfancied on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon but showed up very well and only succumbed in the closing stages. He'll be better for the experience and should go well but the vote goes to ECHO BRAVA (NAP). Jim Best's grey, seven times a winner on the level, caught the eye on his hurdling debut in December and had a spin at Brighton earlier this month to put him right for this.
Amber Spyglass 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, went 2nd before next, upsides 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 6, dist behind Egypt Mill Rebel (10-12) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in May.
Blagapar (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, 4th on outer at last, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 5 1/2l behind Sweet Cherry (11-3) at Kilbeggan 2m mdn gd in Apr.
Cabragh (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off after 5th, last of 8, dist behind Nikki Steel (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Jun.
Echo Brava 11-1 (9-7) Close up in 4th, ridden 2f out, no impression, last of 4, 1 3/4l behind Knight Music (9-6) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Market Road (IRE) 11-2 (12-5) (cp) hdwy 15; chall 3 out; wknd app last, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Stagecoach Jasper (12-5) at Witton Castle 3m gd in May.
Normanton (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, closed when not fluent 2nd, lost place 4th, not fluent 5th, mistake and well behind 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gf in May.
Silent Account (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked winner, not much room when not fluent 2nd, jumped slowly next, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 5, dist behind Ritual Of Senses (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gd in Jun.
Kovera (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, towards rear when not fluent 4th, well behind 6th, tailed off before 3 out, soon pulled up, at Warwick 2m 3f (4) gd in May.
Alcock And Brown (IRE) 15-8fav (10-0) Chased leaders in 4th, improved into 2nd from 3f out, ridden to lead under 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind The Ring Is King (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Apr.
Ali Bin Nayef 40-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out, led before next, soon headed, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind No Win No Fee (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
All For The Best (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Tracked leader and keen, led 3rd, mistake 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Rejaah (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gd in Jun.
