took keen hold, held up, not fluent 3rd, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, hung right from 2 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on
led to 4th, chased leader after, pecked 8th, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, mistakes 6th and 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, hung left between last 2
pressed leader, jumped right 3rd, led 4th, ridden after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, jumped right last, no extra flat
held up, headway 7th, went close 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, ridden out flat
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
Albarino, Earlsfield Raider and King Diamond look the three to concentrate on in this competitive opener and the narrow vote is given to Albarino. The selection was a fair second behind Kety Star. That form looks rock solid and off the same mark here he looks the one to on. Earlsfield Raider rates the main danger on his best form as he was the best of these over hurdles but the suspicion is he may just need the run after a 729 day absence and he is taken on with this in mind. King Diamond is another that could go well on his latest second behind Etoile Russe but this looks more competitive and the suspicion is he may be seen to better effect over a longer trip. Vintage Gold was a fair fourth behind Killard Point last time out but the drop in trip has to be of concern and with this in mind for the winner we return to Albarino.
Albarino (IRE) 3-1fav (10-5) Held up, headway 9th, went 2nd 4 out, ran on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Kety Star (11-12) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Earlsfield Raider 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, went 2nd and mistake 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Ballycassidy (11-5) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in Jun '05.
King Diamond (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 4th, mistake 8th, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 2nd of 9, 19l behind Etoile Russe (11-0) at Fakenham 2m beg chs (4) gf in May.
Trampoline King (USA) 20-1 (10-2) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, behind 9th, mistake 10th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Risk Accessor (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Vintage Gold (USA) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, headway halfway, chased leaders 4 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 20l behind Killard Point (11-0) at Southwell 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd.
Seize 8-1 (11-3) Prominent, led after 6th until 8th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 10, 32l behind Blandings Castle (10-1) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
