tracked leader, challenged 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led after 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, no impression from next
in touch, ridden 9th, 5th and under pressure when mistake and unseated rider 5 out
behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
close up on outside, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
chased leaders on inside, lost place 7th, tailed off from 3 out
led, mistake 7th, ridden and blundered 2 out, soon headed, weakened flat
always behind, tailed off 3 out
tracked leaders, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leader 2 out, stayed on under pressure
always behind, blundered 7th, tailed off 4 out
New Alco had experience of chasing in France and trainer Ferdy Murphy has wasted no time in putting the four-year-old over the larger obstacles in this country so the hint is taken with Mr Mcauley and Classic Capers rated the main dangers. The selection made winning start for his new connections over hurdles at Aintree in October before losing nothing in defeat at Newcastle and would not need to improve much on that evidence to make a winning start over fences in this country. Aleron was the highest rated of these over timber but would not look to be the most likely type to go chasing and he may be best watched on his chase debut. Peter Bowen's Patriarch ran promisingly behind Hawk's Landing on his chase debut when last seen in February but lack of a recent run is of concern, while Samby has also been off for a long time and is hard to recommend with any confidence. Reel Missile is another without a run this term and of more interest may be Classic Capers, who has shown enough in two recent starts over fences to suggest that he can win races in this grade. Irish raider Mr Mcauley has to be respected but New Alco has obvious claims in receipt of weight and he gets the vote.
Aleron (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) In touch, pushed along 4 out, outpaced before next, 3rd of 5, well behind Yes Sir (11-8) at Kelso 2m 2f hdl (C) gf in May.
Classic Capers 12-1 (10-11) Held up, soon prominent, joined leader 4 out, outpaced next, left clear 2nd last, no impression, 2nd of 9, 19l behind Julius Caesar (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (E) gs in Nov.
Handsuposcar (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, closer in 3rd from before 4 out, no impression under pressure from before straight fell 4 out in race won by That's An Idea (11-9) at Limerick 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Nov, 16 ran.
Italiano 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders from 9th until weakened after last, 5th of 12, 32l behind Turpin Green (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (C) sft in Nov.
Kings Square 5-2fav (11-7) Chased leader to 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 16, well behind Nifty Roy (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gd in May.
Mr Mcauley (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Held up towards rear, progress into 7th 4 out, effort and no impression before 2 out, no extra from last, 7th of 11, 16l behind Robert (11-6) at Galway 2m 4f nov hdl gf in Jul.
Patriarch (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Chased clear leader, ridden 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 12, 27l behind Hawk's Landing (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f beg chs (E) gs in Feb '04.
Reel Missile 9-2 (10-8) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after next, 8th of 13, 14l behind Kilgowan (10-4) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (B) gd in Mar.
Samby 3-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway to join leaders 4 out, weakened quickly approaching 3 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Diamant Noir (11-5) at Doncaster 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Jan '04, 7 ran.
New Alco (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Ballyfitz (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Zaffiera (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Hit 1st, always behind, tailed off from 4 out, 6th of 14, well behind Theatre Knight (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn chs (E) gs in Nov.
