chased leaders, led after 3 out, stayed on well
mid-division, pushed along 7th, reminders approaching 12th, stayed on from 2 out
with leader, led 10th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
led, headed 10th, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, weakened from 15th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway 13th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 13th, ridden 15th, soon weakened
held up in touch, joined leaders 3 out, every chance next, one pace approaching last
soon tracking leaders, challenged after 3 out, one pace approaching last
Alan King's Nenuphar Collonges is bound to be fancied here and his has obvious claims but ALRIGHT NOW M'LAD is our selection with Mr Strachan also fancied to figure strongly. The vote doesn't go the way of King's horse with their no real guarantee he'll act in this mire. There was a good run in testing circumstances when the gelding was second of five at Warwick last January but there is little doubt he is at his best on slightly fasted going. Also in the negative column is the fact he'll have to concede weight to his rivals, granted not much but it could be a telling factor. Mr Strachan, Sue Smith's seven-year-old, also has claims here with a victory under his belt on this going. It is his first appearance of the season though and it's asking a lot for him to land gold. Despite that he is very consistent and usually there or there abouts and should at least place. Jonjo O'Niell's Alright Now M'Lad gets the nod after scoring in a similar contest last time beating today's rival Aleron in the process. He is in possession of good form on bottomless ground which is a big advantage here. He'll be carrying nine pounds more than when he won on his last trip to a racecourse which is a concern but should still have enough in hand on the competition. There is a small possibility Aleron could reverse that form as he comes here on better terms this time but the selection, Alright Now M'Lad should be too strong.
Nenuphar Collonges (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Prominent to 4 out, soon beaten, well behind Monoalco (11-0) at Auteuil 2m 5f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in May, 19 ran.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division, reminders after 6th and 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, no impression, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Bob Bob Bobbin 11-1 (11-6) In touch, mistakes, weakened 10th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by High Chimes (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Alright Now M'Lad (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Always prominent, led 3rd, drew clear after 3 out, ridden after next, stumbled last, driven out, won at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Apr beating Aleron (11-10) by 7l, 10 ran.
Aleron (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up, chased winner after 4 out, no impression, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Fundamentalist (11-9) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Oct.
Appleaday (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 8th, reminders after 9th, ridden 11th, soon struggling, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Gypsy George (10-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gs in May.
Antonius Caesar (FR) 40-1 (11-10) In rear, headway approaching 13th, weakening approaching 4 out, 7th of 14, 22l behind Bill's Echo (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Obaki de Grissay (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, raced keenly, not fluent 6th, mistake 8th, went 3rd 10th until after 12th, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 17l behind Jungleland (11-0) at Haydock 3m nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
Chickapeakray 11-2 (11-6) Pressed leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching last, eased flat, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Always Waining (11-12) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jun.
