chased leaders, stumbled and well recovered after 6th, weakened before 10th
held up in touch, chased leaders 5 out, weakened 3 out
held up in touch, mistake 9th, headway next, every chance when blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed approaching 5th, led again 8th, strongly challenged when left in command 4 out, hard ridden 2 out, kept on well under pressure
tracked leaders, slow 4th, weakened 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 10th
raced in rear but in touch, struggling when mistake 7th, soon beaten
led until 3rd, remained prominent, led approaching 5th, headed 8th, weakened before 3 out
held up in touch, hampred after 6th, headway 5 out, chased winner from 3 out, hard ridden to challenge approaching last, no extra
Several of these could probably jump around here blindfolded, including veteran The Hardy Boy and the first-time visored Maximix. Romney Marsh and High Oscar are other course winners facing the starter but none of them have the scope of ERE ALFIE. Nick Williams' seven-year-old looks a stronger horse this season and, jumping well, gallantly saw off all challengers at Fontwell last time from the front. Similar tactics can prosper here and he should be strong for top weight Sumdancer and the inconsistent Manmoon.
Sumdancer (NZ) 3-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 7th, led 4 out, headed when mistake 3 out, chased leader until after 2 out, weakened before last, lost modest 3rd flat, 4th of 6, 15l behind Near The Water (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
Ere Alfie (IRE) 2-1fav (10-3) Jumped well, made all, driven before 2 out, stayed on dourly from last, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Take A Mile (10-11) by 3l, 7 ran.
Health Is Wealth (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, struggling 4th, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 44l behind The Reformer (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Dec.
Manmoon (FR) 11-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th to chase leaders, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 13, 34l behind Inside Dealer (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
High Oscar 7-1 (10-4) Raced in rear, headway 14th, soon chasing leaders, under pressure before 3 out, soon faded, 9th of 12, 39l behind Rey Nacarado (11-6) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Maximix 15-2 (11-4) Held up in 6th, headway 7th, pushed along to chase leading pair next until 3 out, went modest 3rd again flat, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Near The Water (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
The Hardy Boy 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, well behind Prince Du Seuil (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Romney Marsh 9-2 (11-2) Chased leading pair until outpaced before 12th, modest 3rd and pushed along after 3 out, no chance with leading duo, weakened to poor 4th flat, last of 4, 29l behind Portrait Royale (11-12) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.
Push The Port (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling 12th, no chance after, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Dizzy Future (11-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr '09.
