chased leaders, went close 2nd 6th, led 3 out, headed off final bend, weakened flat
prominent, led 4th, not fluent and headed 3 out, not fluent 2 out, every chance final bend, mistake last, weakened flat
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, pushed along 4 out, not fluent 3 out, jumped right and not fluent 2 out, led after final bend, jumped right and unseated rider last
in rear, not fluent 2nd, closed from 4 out, hit 2 out, left 2nd last, pressing winner towards finish, just held
prominent 1st, soon lost place, 4th when not fluent 10th, slow 11th, jumped left 4 out, hampered 2 out, stayed on from final bend, close 2nd when left in lead last, pressed towards finish, held on well
not always fluent, prominent on outside, blundered 6th, soon lost place, mistake 9th, pulled up before next
led until not fluent 3rd, jumped right and not fluent 7th, not fluent 8th, struggling next, tailed off before 4 out, pulled up after
ALCALA faces a tough task at the head of the weights and it's interesting to see the champion trainer apply a first-time tongue tie and cheekpieces. Not always the most straightforward, the selection still retains a high percentage of ability at 11 and frequently finds a way to eke out victories. The weight may anchor the gelding but hopefully his class edge will prove crucial. Monsieur Gibraltar has been a fine servant to Paul Nicholls and the Loxton family and would probably be good enough at his best but the jury is somewhat out after a low-key return last time after a lengthy break. Clondaw Westie and Zamparelli add further spice to an intriguing handicap.
Alcala (FR) 3-10fav (12-6) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 11th until before 2 out, rallied to challenge at the last, stayed on to lead run-in, won at Ascot 3m (5) gd in Mar beating Tanit River (11-12) by 2l, 5 ran.
Monsieur Gibraltar (FR) 4-6fav (11-12) Held up, pushed in 2nd after 3 out, ridden after last and dropped to 3rd, 3rd of 4, 13l behind Peacocks Secret (11-12) at Fakenham 3m (5) gd in Mar.
Clondaw Westie (IRE) 11-2 (11-13) Always prominent, ridden in 3rd between last 2, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Marcle Ridge (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (5) gd in Apr.
Zamparelli (IRE) 15-2 (11-13) Held up and behind, fell 6th, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (5) gd in Apr.
Keltus (FR) 33-1 (12-1) Chased leader until before 8th, went 2nd again 10th until 15th, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, plugged on run-in, 4th of 5, 10 1/2l behind Law Of Gold (11-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f (6) gd in May.
Bletchley Castle (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) (tt) led; clr 4-12; hdd 15; wknd 3 out, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Waterloo Warrior (12-0) at Tabley 3m gd in May.
Crazy Jack (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) (cp) prom til lost plce aft 7; t.o & pu 2 out, at Mollington 2m 4f gs in May.
