held up and behind, ridden 4f out, stayed on steadily final 2f, never near leaders
mid-division, headway 7f out, weakened 2f out
held up in mid-division, some headway and edge right well over 1f out, never on terms
in touch, every chance 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, went 2nd after 4f, every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
prominent, every chance 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out
behind and raced on outside, ridden and ran green 4f out, good headway final 2f, ran on strongly, just failed
in touch, ridden and weakening when slightly hampered 7f out
mid-division, headway halfway, led over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
took keen hold, led, headed over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, headway on outside halfway, every chance 3f out, weakened final 2f
in touch, lost place and niggled along after 6f, headway 5f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, just held on
took keen hold, tracked leader until after 4f, remained prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
Regal Heights and Alf's Spinney have both shown ability from limited opportunities but this may go to one of the newcomers with the vote going to Alderman Rose ahead of Geordie Peacock. The last mentioned is a son of Roselier trained by Venetia Williams and would appreciate every drop of rain that falls. Anything that Nigel Twiston-Davies runs in this field has to be respected and Dan's Man, a son of Zaffaran, is no exception. Along with Nicky Henderson's son of Nikos, Nikolaiev, he has to be respected among the other newcomers. Alf's Spinney lost no caste in defeat behind Yaboya, a rare bumper winner for Philip Hobbs who is represented by Spring Junior today. The Ian Williams-trained gelding is entitled to improve for the run as is Ginger McCain's Regal Heights, who showed promise behind Flintoff on his debut. The vote though goes to Alderman Rose. Richard Phillips is more than capable of producing one to win first time out and the five-year-old takes the eye on pedigree being an Alderbrook half-brother to the likes of Frosty Canyon and Alvino.
Alderman Rose Alderbrook gelding, half-brother to several smart performers over hurdles and fences.
Alf's Spinney 28-1 Mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 16, 12l behind Yaboya at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb.
Captain Aubrey (IRE) 8-1 Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 16, 18l behind Call Oscar at Stratford 2m mdn nhf (H) sft in Mar.
Geordie Peacock (IRE) Roselier gelding out of hurdles and bumper winner Cotton Call.
Dan's Man Zaffaran gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Over The Creek.
Nikolaiev (FR) Nikos gelding out of winning miler Faensa.
Regal Heights (IRE) 12-1 Held up mid-division, hampered and nearly took wrong course after 3f, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on gamely inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, nk behind Flintoff at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Mar.
Spring Junior (FR) Concorde Jr gelding, half-brother to 6f winner Top Mist.
