held up, reminders approaching 10th, pushed along next, led 5 out, headed 3 out, soon weakened
blundered and unseated rider first
chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, driven out
in rear, headway to chase leaders 5 out, led 3 out, headed next, kept on
chased leader, reminders and lost place after 10th, pulled up after next
chased leaders, hit 7th, weakened 4 out
led to 5 out, quickly weakened, pulled up after next
Alan King's Alfasonic is better than he showed when pulled up on his reappearance over hurdles at Chepstow and has to be respected on his chasing debut but a better bet looks to be Negus de Beaumont, with Ma Yahab rated the pick of the remainder. The selection showed decent form over hurdles last season and ran respectably on his final start when a creditable sixth behind Wichita Lineman at the festival meeting. Sent over fences on his first start of the season, Ferdy Murphy's gelding may be too classy for his rivals and is taken to make a winning reappearance. Don McCain's Triple Mint has had the experience of chasing and ran well when last seen when a close second at Towcester. He has more solid claims than Nictos de Bersy, who disappointed at Newbury last time. The Venetia Williams-trained Ma Yahab has shown ability over hurdles and fences and has to be respected but preference is for Negus de Beaumont.
Alfasonic 15-2 (11-10) In touch, weakened before 4 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Blue Splash (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Fabrezan (FR) 8-1 (10-13) Close up, ridden 5th, driven along 9th, weakened soon after 3 out, last of 6, 42l behind Kidithou (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Ma Yahab 8-1 (10-13) In rear, reminders after 2nd, weakened from 5th and pulled up at the 7th in race won by Mr Strachan (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs, 5 ran.
Negus de Beaumont (FR) 40-1 (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, driven along from 8th, stayed on from 2 out, 6th of 20, 24l behind Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.
Nictos de Bersy (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, led, jumped right 4th, headed 8th (water), still 2nd when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Bagan (11-9) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) gs, 8 ran.
Triple Mint (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) With leaders, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, soon rallied, jumped right 2 out, led, jumped right last, hung left flat, headed close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Nonantais (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
Young Cuthbert 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 4th, headed 14th, ridden to lead 4 out, headed again next, one pace when jumping badly left and mistake when rider lost irons, 3rd of 8, 30l behind Back In Business (11-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Mar.
