made all, mistakes 3 out and 2 out, driven out
held up, not fluent 4th, ridden in 5th before 3 out, never on terms, soon weakened
prominent, pushed along after 3rd, ridden and weakened well before 4 out, pulled up before next
held up, not fluent 1st, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 4 out, chased winner before next, not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st or 4th, one pace before 3 out, weakened flat
prominent, jumped right at times, mistake 2nd, beaten before 3 out, weakened 2 out
Nonrunner
Sublime Talent is the only course and distance winner but he was beaten a distance in a selling hurdle last time. It's almost two years since Mon Chevalier won a race and even longer for The Sneezer, whose useful form in Ireland has deserted him. Lord Of The Dunes was tailed off on his chasing bow at Plumpton and it's a long time since Coolbeg showed any form though he's now on his lowest ever mark. Benny The Swinger is generally thereabouts at this sort of level though he's only won once in 20 starts so the vote goes to AL ALFA. Philip Hobbs' charge last ran in this grade in September and it resulted in a victory at Stratford so the drop in class can enable him to get back on the winning trail.
Al Alfa 9-2 (10-3) Prominent, mistake 1st, ridden and no impression on winner before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Dare Me (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Mon Chevalier (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders after 1st, went 2nd 9th until before 3 out, no extra from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Miss Tenacious (11-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Nov.
The Sneezer (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 43l behind Umberto D'olivate (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Cranky Corner 8-1 (10-12) Always behind, weakened and pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Wychwoods Brook (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Lord Of The Dunes 12-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, weakened to 4th when blundered 2 out(normal 3 out), dropped to modest 5th and mistake last, 5th of 7, 41l behind No Buts (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy.
Coolbeg (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, not fluent 9th or 4 out, slightly hampered 3 out, one pace and no impression, weakened last, 5th of 9, 23l behind Drumlang (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Dec.
Benny The Swinger (IRE) 5-2fav (10-3) Held up, sometimes jumped right, mistake 1st, headway 8th, chased winner before 3 out, no impression, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Miss Tenacious (11-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Nov.
Sublime Talent (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, chased winner after 7th until weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, well behind Stow (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f sell hdl (5) sft in Dec.
