blundered and unseated rider 2nd
made all, drew clear from 3 out comfortably
with winner to 8, weakened before next, soon tailed off
held up, chased winner approaching 9th, no impression from 5 out
Robyn Alexander needs to brush up her jumping but other than that looks the one to be on ahead of Barton Gate and Hiers de Brouage. Paul Nicholls is sure to have put plenty of schooling into Robyn Alexander since her fall at Wincanton 18 days ago. She was going as well as anything when departing four out, and as that was a better effort than her previous visit to the west-country track, she can only get better here. On that evidence, she would certainly have bustled up the eventual winner, Hiers de Brouage, and is taken to have his measure, as he will now creep back up the weights. The only worry would be the ground as she does like to hear her hooves rattle normally, but she has the scope to progress. Barton Gate finished a creditable if well held second to Kosmos Bleu on his chase debut, and should be in the shake-up as well, but Robyn Alexander can put her past woes behind her to bounce back with a win.
