tracked leaders, took keen hold, led 4th, clear before last, kept on well
led to 4th, tracked leader, mistake 9th and 10th, reminders before 13th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, hit 7th, tailed off from 4 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 13th, kept on and always held by winner
tracked leaders, pushed along before 10th, soon weakened, pulled up before 11th
held up towards rear, mistake 9th, headway before 10th, went 3rd after 2 out, one pace
GORGEHOUS LLIEGE has already won twice at Towcester and his proven stamina will stand him in good stead here with the going likely to be testing. Queen Of Mantua didn't run badly on her chase debut in what looked a decent mares' race at Ludlow last month and she'll know more today while Sandynow has won a point-to-point and couple of races over hurdles. He fell in a handicap at Uttoxeter last time but had finished third at Lingfield the time before and should be capable of picking up a small race. Al Alfa is another winning pointer and likely to improve on his form over hurdles now tackling the larger obstacles.
Al Alfa 3-1fav (11-9) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened and soon eased after 3 out, 4th of 11, well behind Okafranca (10-4) at Taunton 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Gorgehous Lliege (FR) 3-1fav (10-12) In touch, led 11th, clear before 2 out, kept on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating Gemini Ahhs (10-3) by 6l, 13 ran.
Mirific (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Towards rear, pushed along before 5th, weakened 4 out, hampered 3 out, 9th of 15, 32l behind Coverholder (10-1) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.
Sandynow (IRE) 4-1fav (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, lost place when mistake 12th, headway before 5 out, close 3rd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Rebeccas Choice (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy, 13 ran.
Emma Soda 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place after 1st, soon behind, tailed off 8th, pulled up after, in a race won by Cocacobana (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar, 12 ran.
Queen Of Mantua (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Behind, headway to modest 5th before 4 out, soon struggling, 6th of 10, 14l behind Valmari (10-11) at Ludlow 2m 4f mrs nov chs (5yo+) (4) sft in Jan.