chased leader, led 6th, 5 lengths clear 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on gamely from 2 out
led to 6th, not fluent 9th, ridden after 4 out, outpaced 3 out, rallied 2 out, every chance approaching last, ran on flat, not reach winner
prominent, headway 13th, chased leaders on bit 4 out, challenged approaching 3 out, jumped right 3 out, soon one pace
always behind, hit 13th, no impression
This should not take a great deal of winning and it is hard to get away from Alfie's Sun, who has more to fear from Liberty Ben, with Mr Micky rated the pick of the remainder. The selection showed the benefit of a return from a long absence in a hunter chase when running out the comfortable winner of a novices' chase at Huntingdon last month and, on ground conditions that suit, he looks to have solid claims of following up here. Lansdowne Princess has given little cause for optimism so far and of more interest has to be Mr Micky, who has ability but has not shown it for some time. Wetherby winner Liberty Ben should appreciate the return to a faster surface today but Alfie's Sun has solid claims and is hard to oppose.
Alfie's Sun 9-4 (11-0) Held up in rear, improved to go 4th at 8th, jumped well to lead 11th, ridden and mistake 2 out, forged clear flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Mar beating Glimmer of Light (10-11) by 6l, 6 ran.
Liberty Ben (IRE) 5-1co-fav (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and struggling before 14th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Lady of Scarvagh (11-10) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Mr Micky (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Mid-division, pecked 1st, lost placed 3rd, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Romney Marsh (10-10) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Lansdowne Princess 50-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, losing touch and weakening when mistake 7th, soon tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Phareight Dei (10-3) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan.
