led, ridden and headed after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression in clear 3rd flat
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 4th, soon behind, no danger after
tracked leaders, close up and effort when mistake 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, modest 4th from next
tracked leader, challenged 4 out, ridden after next, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, driven and one pace when fell 4 out
held up behind, ridden before 4 out, never a threat
mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chased leaders, went 3rd next, ridden and hung left between last 2, led narrowly after last, kept on, headed near finish
held up behind, hampered 4 out, not recover, pulled up before next
tracked leaders on outside, ridden before 4 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, led after next, soon ridden, headed narrowly after last, rallied to regain lead near finish
tracked leaders, lost place when ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
The key horse is Ayalor who is not harshly treated for this handicap debut and Harry Fry runners do not usually want for fitness. A winner of his only start when scoring at Loudeac in France in the spring of 2014, the market should instruct as to stable confidence. However, he faces a tough opponent in the form of the lightly-raced and progressive HARLEY REBEL, improving with every run and a fine second to the more experienced Debdebdeb at Kempton last time in competitive handicap company. He's going the right way and all looks in place for a big run with Richard Johnson booked. Last month's comfortable Ludlow winner, Fishing Bridge, can also get involved along with topweight Alberobello.
Alberobello (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, led 9th, headed 12th, led again 4 out, headed last, kept on and held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Thomas Wild (11-8) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Filatore (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Pressed leader, led 4th, headed 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Awaywiththegreys (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Le Boizelo (FR) (10-5) 9th of 10, dist behind Bonito Du Berlais (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 3f sft in Oct.
Midnight Belle 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, mistake 8th, soon headed, pushed along 9th, weakened 5 out, pulled up next, at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Lava Lamp (GER) 50-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, plugged on from 2 out, never threatened, 7th of 13, 14 3/4l behind Masterplan (11-3) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Stiff Upper Lip (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Led until 4th, chased leaders, lost place approaching 5th, soon behind, tailed off, 5th of 6, 34 1/4l behind Gevrey Chambertin (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Ayalor (FR) (10-1) won at Loudeac 2m 1f gd in Apr
Fishing Bridge (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Towards rear on outside, closed 6th, mistake next, 8 lengths 3rd 3 out, closed 2 out, led last, clear flat, stayed on, won at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Market Option (11-6) by 9l, 10 ran.
Agreement (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Dan Emmett (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Harley Rebel 12-1 (10-13) In touch on outside, dropped to mid-division 4th, headway 3 out, went 2nd next, ridden to challenge before last, kept on same pace, held flat, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Debdebdeb (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
L Frank Baum (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) In touch on outside, pushed along and lost place 6th, tailed off 3 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Eminent Poet (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
