chased leaders until 7th, soon behind
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace
prominent, led after 3 out, clear next, stayed on well, kept up to work, comfortably
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace when hit next
led until after 7th, ridden and every chance after 3 out, held from next, stayed on same pace
mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened next, tailed off
always towards rear
mistakes, in touch until after 7th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after next, weakening when blundered 2 out
raced keenly, held up, headway 5th, led after 7th, ran green, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, tailed off
mid-division until 5th, soon behind
ALFIE SHERRIN is the first of a battalion of runners from the Paul Nicholls' stable and he can see off Richard's Sundance and Ballycarney. Hailing from a family that include a number of grand chasers such as Beau, the former pointer made all to land a maiden hurdle at Chepstow and looks as if he could be something special. This is a tougher test but he should be up to it. Richard's Sundance made a couple of errors at Ascot but he had shaped well at Exeter previously and will be the benchmark for the assessor this afternoon. The booking of Tony McCoy aboard Ballycarney appeals. He got three miles in Irish points so the step up in trip should not be an issue. John Fenton does not look good enough to be giving his winners' penalty away on this occasion. Aussie Deal shaped with some promise in bumpers albeit in heavy going. Little Al was a tad disappointing behind Thetwincamdrift last time out although the form of that race was given a boost last weekend. St Killian's Run was not given a tough time on his rules debut and could be one to blossom for time. The remainder appear up against it on all racecourse evidence. Alfie Sherrin will be a short price but can make class count.
John Fenton (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Led, hit 3rd, stumbled on approach to 5th, headed 7th, soon dropped rear, weakened quickly, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-4) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Barnhill Brownie (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Alfie Sherrin 7-4fav (11-2) Made all, clear 2 out, easily, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov beating Scrum V (10-13) by 10l, 11 ran.
Aussie Deal (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Parlesotho (11-5) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Ballycarney (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Disputed lead, led 3rd, ridden when headed and outpaced 3 out, stayed to take 2nd again flat, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Aqualung (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Drombeg Pride (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Hit 1st, mid-division until 4th, soon behind, 7th of 13, well behind Mont Present (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Little Al 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 14, 33l behind Thetwincamdrift (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Optimum Asset (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Lost pair, driven and struggling after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Martys Mission (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 5 ran.
Path To Glory 50-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, some progress 8th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 14, 38l behind Stance (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f sll hdl (5) sft.
St Killian's Run (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, jumped left 1st, headway when hampered 7th, weakened after next, 7th of 18, 28l behind Weird Al (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Lyrical Chant (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mad Max (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Toomuchinformation 100-1 (10-2) Mid-division, hit 2nd, weakened after 6th, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
