pressed leader, led before 2nd, headed 4 out, soon switched right, left in lead next, mistake 2 out, not fluent last, soon headed, held towards finish
tracked leaders, closed 5th, ridden next, mistake 8th, led 4 out, mistake and headed next, rallied to close last, soon led, driven out
jumped right in rear, well beaten 4 out
led until before 2nd, with leader, weakened 4 out
held up in 4th, jumped right, hampered 1st, mistakes 3rd and 6th, well beaten 4 out, jumped badly right 2 out, pulled up before last
Alfraamsey has won three times over hurdles and has been knocking on the door over fences. He won't be far away again with his weight-for-age allowance. An Capall Mor, another winning hurdler, shouldn't be fazed by the switch to the larger obstacles and Skylancer won twice over timber at Perth last month and comes here in excellent form. He looks a better bet than more exposed stablemate Jaffonien. ALAZAN is a decent performer on the Flat but never quite lived up to the hype over hurdles, despite winning four times. However, he'll be a useful novice chaser if his jumping is up to scratch and can make a winning start to his new career here.
Alazan (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Held up in touch in rear, headway 3 out, chased winner before next, every chance approaching next, unable to quicken flat, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind First In The Queue (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Aug.
An Capall Mor (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led, reluctant approaching 4th, ridden after next, headed before last, gradually weakened, 4th of 5, 8l behind Violets Boy (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Jaffonnien (FR) 7-1 (10-4) Behind, hit 6th, headway when hampered 7th, jumped right and weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 32l behind Rajnagan (11-6) at Southwell 2m nov chs (4) gd in Aug.
King Diamond (FR) 50-1 (9-9) Held up in mid-division, pecked 7th, struggling 9th, 7th of 10, well behind Kap West (10-8) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Jun.
Skylancer 15-8fav (11-12) Slowly away and early reminders, soon in touch, went 2nd 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden to chase clear leader after next, stayed on under pressure on long run between last 2, 1 length down when not fluent last, led flat, drew clear final 50 yards, won at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Aug beating Toshi (11-1) by 5l, 6 ran.
Apache Dawn 33-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Geneva Geyser (11-6) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
Dica (FR) 33-1 (11-8) Pressed leader, led after 4th, headed and not much room after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 8th of 11, 35l behind Tarkari (11-10) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jul.
Alfraamsey 6-4fav (10-4) Led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with winner flat, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Tindaro (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gd in Aug.