mid-division, pushed along 8th, driven and struggling 10th, stayed on after 3 out, no danger
mistakes, held up, blundered 9th and soon pulled up
held up, steady headway from 11th, chased winner after 3 out, driven and held before next
not fluent towards rear, struggling 4 out, tailed off
led until slow jumped 1st, never going well after, soon lost place, dropped to last when pulled up before 10th
led 1st, made rest until blundered and headed 4 out, chased winner until after next, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 9th, driven after 3 out, 4th and beaten when blundered last
chased leader to 10th, weakened from next, well beaten when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
soon struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
chased leaders until mistake and lost place 8th, soon driven along, fell 12th
mid-division, steady headway to track leader 10th, led 4 out, in command approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly
mid-division, hit 5th, struggling before 4 out, tailed off
Nonrunner
ALFREDS TOWER, formerly trained by Paul Keane but now with Paul Nicholls, is taken to win this handicap with Chopneyev, Lidjo De Rouge, The Big Canadian and Storm Of Applause all making it to the shortlist. Tongue-tied for his debut over fences, the selection impressed with his jumping and whilst his main opponent was disappointing, it still rated as a fair start. A mark of 120 on this handicap debut looks high enough but he is open tom any amount of improvement and gets the nod. The list of dangers is long. Joyryder was a tad disappointing when last seen in April but he rates as an interesting second-season chaser, as do top-weight Nation State and also Storm Of Applause. The Big Canadian is pitched straight into handicap company for this chasing debut but is bred for the game, whilst Lidjo De Rouge and Big Rob both looks to be back on good marks if on their best behaviour. The consistent course and distance winner Chopneyev is another for consideration, however in a tricky race it is Alfred's Tower who is selected.
Nation State 9-2 (11-10) In rear when jumped slowly 1st, soon well behind, 8th of 11, 43l behind Cheating Chance (11-2) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Held up in touch, ridden and outpaced 5 out, chased winner 3 out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 8, 19l behind Yes Sir (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f lst hcp chs (1) gf in Oct.
Launde (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up, well off the pace in last, not fluent 3 out, never near leaders, 6th of 9, 11l behind Bill's Echo (11-6) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
Alfred's Tower 9-4 (11-0) Mid-division, progress to track leaders 7th, led 3 out, ridden and in command approaching last, stayed on well, won at Towcester 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gs in May beating Kilcrea Asla (11-0) by 8l, 11 ran.
Joyryder 7-2 (11-8) Chased leader, hampered 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 7, 15l behind Appleaday (11-1) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) gd in Apr.
Big Rob (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Always in rear, behind when jumped slow 10th, 7th of 8, well behind Master Medic (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Porters War (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Not fluent 1st, raced keenly in rear, headway approaching 9th, not fluent 13th, chased winner 3 out, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 10l behind Can't Buy Time (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Chopneyev (FR) 10-3 (11-7) Prominent, led 7th to 4 out, one pace, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Sparkling Taff (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Methodical 16-1 (10-13) Close up until driven 5th, weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Trigger Guard (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
The Big Canadian (IRE) 3-1fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure last, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Ruby Dante (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug '07.
Lidjo De Rouge (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway and chased leader 13th, every chance four out, running on one pace when left 2nd last, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Oracle des Mottes (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
General Alarm 33-1 (10-11) Led 2nd, not fluent 4th, hit next, headed 8th, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 35l behind Rightful Ruler (11-4) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Laskari (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, blundered 10th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Spirit of New York (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jun, 12 ran.
