raced keenly, led and jumped left 1st, not fluent 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, 4l down last, stayed on to regain lead 100 yards out, driven out
chased clear leaders, closed before 4th, went 2nd next, led approaching 2 out, 4 lengths clear last, soon got tired and wandered, headed 100 yards out, no extra
held up, pushed along after 4th, no chance 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last
raced keenly, disputing lead when bumped 1st, chased leader, mistake 4th, lost 2nd next, weakend after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased clear leaders, progress when not fluent 5th and weakening when blundered next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, pushed along 4th, lost touch next, soon tailed off, pulled up after 6th
not jumped well, in rear, taling off 5th, pulled up after next
held up in rear, no chance after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up, raced keenly, headway approaching 5th, went 3rd after next, weakened well before 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 5th, went poor 4th 2 out
Alderbridge looks the pick of Ferdy Murphy's two runners in this contest ahead of Viel Gluck but the son of Alderbrook was well held behind FIENDISH FLAME at Sedgefield and Don McCain's gelding is taken to confirm that form and follow up here. The five-year-old does have a penalty to carry for that success but having shown promise in his only start in a bumper and on his hurdling debut, the son of Beneficial won with plenty in hand at Sedgefield and can defy the extra weight. Venetia Williams has her string in good form so her runner, A French Horse, has to be respected but he does need to step up on the form shown here last time to trouble the judge. Ian Williams similarly has got his string in good heart and his representative Paddy Live has been showing decent form in bumpers so has to be respected on his first start over hurdles. Lucy Wadham's Brooks Bank was well held on his debut in a bumper here in November but may do better now sent over hurdles. It is hard to get away from Fiendish Flame and Don McCain's gelding is taken to follow up his recent Sedgefield success.
Fiendish Flame (IRE) 1-2fav (11-4) Raced keenly, led 2nd, made rest, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Alderbridge (11-4) by 10l, 11 ran.
A French Horse (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 6th, headway 8th, weakened under pressure approaching last, 5th of 15, 16l behind Orion d'Oudairies (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Alderbridge (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to go 2nd next, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Fiendish Flame (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Another Winnie 50-1 (10-9) In touch, pulled hard, steadied after 4th, weakened 8th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Gypsy George (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Brooks Bank (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 8f out, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 14, 34l behind Strokestown (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
One Accord 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, effort approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 16, 24l behind Baarrij (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov sll hdl (5) gf in Jul.
Ossie's Star 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader until 9f out, driven over 6f out, weakened 5f out, 10th of 15, 44l behind Silver Kate (10-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gd in Sept.
Paddy Live (FR) 11-2 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 9th, led over 2f out, ran on well, won at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec '07 beating Quiet Bob (10-9) by 2l, 10 ran.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after next, one pace from 2 out, left 4th last, 4th of 18, 21l behind Fushe Jo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Viel Gluck (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, outpaced after 3 out, no chance when blundered last, 10th of 14, well behind Time For Rupert (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
