tracked leader, slipped up and unseated rider on bend after 11th
jumped right at times, led and set good pace, pushed along and headed 4 out, soon no chance with winner, mistake 3 out, weakened and lost 2nd run-in
held up in 4th place, not fluent 3rd, tracked leading pair 8th, closing quickly when left in 2nd place bend after 11th, led on bit 4 out, cruised clear, not extended
held up in 3rd place until dropped to last 8th, well outpaced when left remote 3rd bend after 11th, plugged on into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
This race sees the much-awaited first appearance over fences of FINIAN'S OSCAR, unbeaten over hurdles prior to finishing second at Punchestown in April, including in Grade 1 contests at Sandown and Aintree. Alcala is already having his 11th start over fences but has won six times, including a Listed handicap, though has to give Colin Tizzard's potentially top-class recruit 3lb. Tintern Theatre and Aintree My Dream should both win races over fences when they've gained some experience.
Alcala (FR) 1-5fav (11-8) Made all, shaken up approaching last, never troubled, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (3) gd in Aug beating Exxaro (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
Aintree My Dream (FR) 6-4fav (11-6) Led, driven and headed approaching 2 out, ridden and no impresion with front pair between last 2, lost modest 3rd flat, 4th of 5, 20 1/4l behind Gayebury (11-8) at Perth 3m lst (1) gd in Apr.
Finian's Oscar (IRE) 13-8fav (11-10) Towards rear, progress into 6th 3 out, headway into 3rd 2 out, led entering straight, ridden and strongly pressed at last, headed and no extra near line, 2nd of 9, shd behind Bacardys (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Tintern Theatre (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Made all, set steady pace until quickened 4 out, clear after 2 out, readily, won at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gs in Apr beating Town Parks (11-7) by 8l, 7 ran.
