tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd on bit approaching 2 out, led last, ran on well
held up in rear, weakened approaching 2 out
with leader, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, took 2nd towards finish
held up in touch and keen, led and not fluent 3 out, headed last, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish
led, not fluent and headed 3 out, soon weakened
Howard Johnson's Alvarado was good value for his win at Carlisle in a novices' hurdle last month and had won well in a Musselburgh bumper last season but both of those victories for the gelding were on fast ground and he is not certain to appreciate the going today so a better bet may be WHITEABBEY, who gets the vote ahead of Against The Wind. Lucinda Russell's gelding has shown some promise from limited opportunities in bumpers on testing ground and on his hurdling debut at Hexham on fast ground when last seen in April. He makes more appeal than Don McCain's Scottish Munros, who was well held on his only start in a bumper at Aintree in May. John Wade's Tyrone House was twice a winner of point-to-points in Ireland but was well held on his rules debut in a Tipperary bumper and a safer option looks to be Whiteabbey. Don McCain's gelding won an Irish point on testing ground and, having made an encouraging rules debut when third to Hard Act in a bumper at Bangor, he looks worth siding with on his first start over hurdles.
Alvarado (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, soon tracking leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, led last 150 yards, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct beating Mcmurrough (10-12) by 4l, 12 ran.
Against The Wind 25-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway halfway, effort approaching last, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 15l behind Fortysecond Street (11-6) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Scottish Munros 33-1 (11-2) Led 5f, weakened 7f out, soon well behind, 9th of 13, 26l behind Bold Addition (10-9) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gs in May.
Tyrone House (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division best, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 10th of 20, 29l behind An Toileanach (11-11) at Tipperary 2m 2f N H flat hvy in Apr.
Whiteabbey (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, took closer order 5 out, every chance over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened and lost place entering final furlong, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Hard Act (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft.
