led, 5 lengths clear at halfway, hard driven when strongly challenged 2 out, headed last, no extra
pulled hard tracking leaders, weakening when jumped left 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, every chance from next, mistake last, faded flat
mid-division, slow 2nd, headway 3 out, chasing leaders when hung left next, soon no impression
in rear, slow 2nd, fell 4 out
in touch, smooth headway after 3 out, every chance next, led on bit at last, ran on well, easily
Dark Dune has shown promise over hurdles and, though no match for the winner at Carlisle last time, he still finished a creditable second. Spin Cast has also been placed over timber including a second at Ludlow last month but AALIM makes most appeal. He started favourite at Market Rasen on his first start over hurdles but found Handiwork too good and can make amends in this. Zip Wire was placed in five of his seven starts on the Flat in Ireland and is a hurdling newcomer to consider along with Martin Chuzzlewit, a decent handicapper on the level for Andrew Balding.
Dark Dune (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 3rd, soon 3 lengths clear, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Vice Et Vertu (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Dissidancer (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off, 5th of 9, 47l behind Mandarin Sunset (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Mohawk Ridge 16-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 5f out, pushed along over 4f out, soon lost place, 6th of 8, 24l behind Calaf (9-9) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct (flat).
Spin Cast 4-1 (10-7) Prominent, mistake 5 out, headway before 3 out, soon chased winner, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 16, 9l behind My Guardian Angel (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Zip Wire (IRE) 11-4fav (9-6) Soon chased leaders and a long way off the pace, poor 5th over 5f out, went distant 2nd early straight, a bit closer under 2f out, 3rd and no impression from over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Quick Jack (9-0) at Navan 1m 5f hcp sft in Oct (flat).
Bellingo 100-1 (10-11) Held up in last pair, struggling over 4f out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Beatu (11-4) at Catterick 2m NH flat (6) gd.
Spring Back 33-1 (10-4) Prominent early, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 20l behind Mystical Dreamer (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Aalim 9-4fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, led after 2 out, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Handiwork (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gs.
Young Jay 12-1 (8-12) Tracked winner until ridden 3f out, soon edged left and weakened, last of 12, 50l behind Lady Of Yue (8-7) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct (flat).
Martin Chuzzlewit (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, no impression over 1f out, 12th of 18, 5l behind Lahaag (9-9) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct (flat).
After The Storm 66-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, pecked 3rd, headway after 5th, mistake 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 13, 20l behind Oscars Den (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
