took keen hold early, tracked leaders, 2nd after 2 out, 2 lengths down last, eased when held towards finish
held up in last pair, headway 10th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, 2nd 4th until pushed along after 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd
jumped soundly, made all, ridden before the last, stayed on well, ridden clear run-in
tracked winner until 4th, chased leaders, jumped slowly 7th (water), dropped to last 9th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before last
held up in last pair, headway 10th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
Nonrunner
Witness In Court is starting to come down the weights, but only slowly, though does hold Red Seventy on Worcester running. Alwaystheoptimist was only third off this mark behind AL ALFA's stablemate No Likey here last time and Philip Hobbs' runner is also preferred in this. He appeals as the type to go well fresh and Richard Johnson rides him in preference to Tim Vaughan's grey Wings Of Smoke. Dresden had decent form last season when his jumping didn't let him down and shouldn't be ignored.
Witness In Court (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, led after 8th, headed before 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Strongly Suggested (10-11) at Worcester 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Wings Of Smoke (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Always in rear, 10th of 14, dist behind Brave Spartacus (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Dresden (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Mistake 2nd, held up in touch, 4th before 7th, mistake 10th, weakened 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Al Alfa 8-1 (11-2) Chased leader, mistake 3rd, left in lead next, mistake and headed 7th, lost 2nd 10th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 8th of 10, 27 1/4l behind Ruben Cotter (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Red Seventy 4-1fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, lost place after 8th, well held after, 4th from 3 out, blundered last, 4th of 7, 20l behind Strongly Suggested (10-11) at Worcester 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Lookslikerainted (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 19 1/2l behind Western Way (11-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Alwaystheoptimist 7-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, ridden before last, stayed on to chase leading pair flat, no impression, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind No Likey (11-2) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
