chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, hit 3 out, headway approaching next, staying on in 3rd when blundered last, weakened
made virtually all, not fluent 4th, hit 3 out, ridden and hit last, ran on well under pressure
held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader and keen, ridden and weakened after 6th, tailed off and pulled up before last
chased leaders until weakened after 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off from 3 out
tracked leaders, pressed winner from 3 out, hard ridden and led briefly 2 out, every chance last, no extra run in
Almah is selected to make a winning debut at the expense of Infidel and Gallery God, with Zalkani worth a second glance. Venetia Williams has booked Tony McCoy to ride South African Flat winner Almah on his debut over jumps, and he could turn out to be quite useful. He was pitched into a tough handicap at Ascot on his British debut in July, and has struggled against useful stayers on the Flat since. The switch to timber could be the making of him, and although time may tell that he needs further, he should be at home in this company and can go in first time. Infidel has to concede a stone to the selection and may find conditions too fast in his bid to defy a penalty. The ex-Irish four-year-old should still go well though, along with Gallery God who shaped with promise when second at Plumpton last month. He had fair form on the Flat a while back including a Listed victory in France. Zalkani was a maiden on the level but is sure to have been well schooled by Brendan Powell and will be placed to good effect before too long. On this occasion though, the class of Almah may prove too much for him and the rest.
