mistakes, close up, blundered 4 out, effort next, outpaced 2 out, kept on one pace flat
led to 4th, prominent until weakened after 20th
held up towards rear, headway and prominent 19th, weakened between last 2
mid-division, dropped rear 4th, struggling 10th, behind when fell 13th
led 4th, made rest, hung right and stayed on strongly flat
towards rear, pushed along 20th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, struggling 19th, pulled up after 21st
in touch, pushed along 19th, weakened after 4 out
towards rear, struggling 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 19th
held up in touch, mistake 13th, headway and effort 4 out, one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 4th, blundered 12th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 18th
towards rear, struggling halfway, kept on one pace from 2 out, never dangerous
Alexanderthegreat can capture this long-distance prize, with Red Echo, Kinburn, Catch The Perk and Moustique de L'Isle just a few more to mention. Alexanderthegreat is one of only a number in with claims here, but as he will lack for nothing in stamina, we feel that he is worth supporting. A one-time useful hurdler for Paul Nicholls, the gelding has not had the best of luck, and had to be operated on for a chipped bone, but showed that he is well on the way back when scoring over an inadequate trip at Kelso 11 days ago. Today's test will be much more in his favour, and with Graham Lee on board, he should be in the shake-up at the very least. David Pipe has quickly taken over the mantle at Nicolashayne, and anything that he saddles in the bigger contests has to be respected. His five-year-old Red Echo has only had four outings over fences, and was in the process of running a big race at Cheltenham last time when falling two out, so this half-brother to useful staying chaser Jurancon II will be a popular choice. Kinburn did well to get round at Wetherby last time, given that his performance was littered with mistakes, and he will do well to shrug off the burden of topweight. Catch The Perk goes well here, having won four times in all, and makes place appeal, while Moustique de L'Isle is on a career-high mark these days but, like Red Echo, has time on his side. Naunton Brook has not impressed yet but his stable has been firing in the winners, so he is yet another to mention, but we shall side with Alexanderthegreat who can now begin to fulfil his potential.
Kinburn (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Mistakes, led, ridden approaching 4 out, hit and headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Too Forward (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Oct.
Catch The Perk (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Led to 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 34l behind Irish Wolf (11-11) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Elvis Returns 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 9th, weakened from 2 out, 8th of 16, 31l behind Twelve Paces (10-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Oct.
Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Always prominent, challenged 3 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Twelve Paces (10-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Oct.
Naunton Brook 16-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, outpaced after 12th, mistake 3 out, stayed on, 4th of 12, 9l behind Charlies Future (10-5) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Alexanderthegreat (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on to lead last 50 yards, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd beating Kids Inheritance (11-9) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Red Echo (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 13th, progress when hit 15th, disputing 4th and staying on when fell 2 out in race won by Ardaghey (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct, 12 ran.
Supreme Breeze (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, hit 2nd, pushed along next, lost place from 5th, tailed off, last of 8, well behind According To Pete (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Gatsby (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Towards rear, mistake 4th, hit 8th and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Knife Edge (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f hts chs (2) sft in May, 13 ran.
High Cotton (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Behind, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 16, 38l behind Twelve Paces (10-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Oct.
Precious Bane (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Led until 15th, gradually faded, 7th of 14, 41l behind Hazeljack (9-10) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Apr.
Lazy But Lively (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, outpaced 5 out, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Theatre Knight (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
