joined leader 3rd, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
held up, headway and in touch 7th, driven and outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, rallied flat, not reach leaders
led, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied flat, just held
raced keenly in touch, headway 3 out, led next, soon ridden, held on towards finish
chased leader to 3rd, mistake 5th, soon lost pace, behind when pulled up before 3 out
close up on inside, hit 4 out, soon driven and outpaced, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression
held up, headway 3 out, ridden and effort next, 4th and one pace when mistake last, no extra
held up in touch, lost place 8th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Given the form of horses from the yard of Venetia Williams, it may be worth taking a chance on Alcopop returning to his best which would be good enough to see the gelding get the better of main rivals Pure Brief and Lindsay. The last mentioned has claims on the form shown when beating Wages at Hereford last month but one subsequent start since then, as well as subsequent defeats of the horse that he beat that day, suggests that the form, may not amount to a great deal. Owen Brennan has had notable success in the past on Town Moor, in particular with Vulrory's Clown, but Tipp Top is not in the same class and he looks best watched judged by recent evidence. Kew Jumper is entitled to come on for his return at Wincanton last month and has to be respected under Graham Lee although a bigger threat may come from Pure Brief, who put up a career best effort here last time. Alcopop may have found the ground too testing for him at Chepstow last time though and, given the form of his yard, he looks worth another chance.
Kew Jumper (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 13, 18l behind Black De Bessy (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Sound Of Cheers 14-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 11th, weakened next, 7th of 11, 49l behind Oso Magic (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
Alcopop 11-4fav (11-11) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 16l behind Hiers De Brouage (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Nov.
Lindsay (FR) 9-4jt-fav (11-12) With leader, led, mistake 2nd, headed 6th, ridden, every chance 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 7, 5l behind Romany Dream (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Captains Table 15-2 (11-1) Chased leaders to 3rd, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 24l behind Cassia Heights (11-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd.
Pure Brief (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced 6th, rallied and headway 3 out, chased winner next, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Lorient Express (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd.
Prairie Minstrel (USA) 13-2 (10-7) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened after next, 7th of 12, 17l behind Swallow Magic (10-7) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (F) gf in Nov.
Tipp Top (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up, effort approaching 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Gale Star (10-4) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in May.
Megapac (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden 3rd, headway 5th, outpaced 3 out, rallied again to chase leaders 2 out, one pace, 4th of 17, 7l behind Ressource (9-9) at Stratford 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in May.
Jallastep (FR) 18-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders early, soon behind, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 37l behind Oso Magic (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
