tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 15th, weakened after next
tracked leaders on inside, ridden and lost place 14th, well beaten 2 out, plugged on
held up in touch, closed 11th, hampered 3 out, challenged next, every chance when mistake last, weakened flat, lost 3rd close home
held up on outside, headway 12th, went 2nd after 16th, left in lead next, pressed from 2 out until last, drew clear flat, stayed on strongly
not fluent, held up in rear, headway approaching 14th, ridden in close 3rd before last, went 2nd flat, stayed on, no impression on winner
tracked leader, pushed along after 11th, lost 2nd after 16th, stayed on same pace from after 2 out, mistake last, went 3rd close home
led, 3 lengths clear when stumbled and unseated rider 3 out
held up in rear, ridden and effort 3 out, mistake and one pace 2 out, soon weakened
Neither Indian Castle nor Al Co make much appeal on what they've shown so far this season. Hollow Blue Sky also remains out of sorts but Financial Climate appeared to be running into form at Aintree and De Kerry Man remains unexposed, though lacks a recent run. Perfect Candidate ran well on several occasions here last year after winning at Leicester but the handicapper refuses to cut him any slack. ALTERNATIF (NAP) only made his debut over fences in May of last year but progressed with every run to win a shade cosily at Fontwell last month with a subsequent winner well behind in third. He is taken to get the better of another improver in Beg To Differ, who should enjoy the extra distance.
Al Co (FR) 66-1 (10-4) In rear, tailed off when blundered 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Indian Castle (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 12th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Alternatif (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders until not fluent and slightly lost place 3rd, rallied approaching 5th, 2nd 2 out, challenged going well last, led run-in, always just doing enough, won at Fontwell 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Pete The Feat (11-11) by 1l, 7 ran.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway before 14th, every chance 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 5th of 17, 3 3/4l behind Sausalito Sunrise (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Beg To Differ (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Handy, mistake 13th, ridden before 3 out, one pace and no impression on winner next, 3rd of 5, 6 3/4l behind Aubusson (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m (4) hvy in Dec.
Financial Climate (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, challenged 17th, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on from last, pressing for places when hampered on elbow, no impression after, 6th of 17, 5l behind Highland Lodge (10-0) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
De Kerry Man (IRE) 1-2fav (12-5) Made all, 4 lengths clear 4 out, stayed on flat, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Dashing George (11-7) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
Hollow Blue Sky (FR) 11-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, under pressure after 5 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 21 1/4l behind Seventh Sky (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
