led until after 7th, ridden and weakened 9th, went distant 2nd 4 out
slowly away, soon mid-division, chased winner 6th, led after 7th, clear 4 out, easily
mid-division, pushed along when fell 8th
chased leader, ridden and weakened 9th, pulled up before 4 out
held up last, ridden 8th, blundered 9th, soon weakened, behind from 4 out
mid-division, pecked 4th, going well when fell 8th
mid-division and pulled early, chased leader 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, blundered 3 out, soon pulled up
prominent, shaken up and hit 8th, 4th and ridden when pulled up before 9th
This trip should bring about a measure of improvement from PING PONG SIVOLA who can get the better of Bawn Boy and Mighty Moose amongst others. The selection lacked the pace to get competitive at Bangor on her chase bow despite the testing conditions but can step up on that form now that she is stepped up in trip. That was also her first start of the campaign so she may well come on for the run and she's the one of only a couple in the line-up open to improvement. The other is Bawn Boy who makes his debut over fences having pulled up in the hurdle race won by Wise Men Say at this venue. He showed ability last season and may be able to step up on that now chasing. A few of these have been prolific winners over the years so couldn't be dismissed operating at this level but they all have plenty to prove. Mighty Moose doesn't have too many miles on the clock and shaped more encouragingly at Taunton last time and could be a factor but we'll take Ping Pong Sivola to hit the back of the net.
Alam (USA) 25-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, mistakes 4th and reminders next, outpaced 10th, no danger after, 6th of 9, 10l behind Alphabetical (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Ping Pong Sivola (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Prominent, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Amble Forge (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.