prominent to 4 out, behind when mistake, unseated rider last
in touch, outpaced 9th, rallied between last 2, stayed on to lead flat, kept on
in touch, weakened quickly 7th, pulled up after next
tracked leaders, headway, every chance approaching 2 out, no extra flat
made most, headed flat, no extra
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, effort, weakened approaching last
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, effort, chance approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, effort approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
always behind
held up towards rear, headway, in touch halfway, weakened 4 out
Sir Alf gets the confident vote in this hunters chase with Fifth Column and Soprano Lass rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Ben From Ketton with plenty in hand and under similar conditions here he will be hard to beat especially as his main danger Fifth Column was ridden by Chris Dawson last time out and he has elected to ride Sir Alf today; the hint should be taken. Fifth Column rates the main danger on his latet third behind Del Trotter but he is a free going sort and the step up in trip is also a worry. Saprono Lass is another worthy of respect as he beat Three Spies last time out. However, she is unproven over regulation fences and is opposed on that basis. Of the remainder, Firion King won well last time out but this looks more competitive, while Toms Party has a good jockey booked and could go well at a price but his very best form is over a longer trip and for the winner we return to Sir Alf who will be hard to beat.
Fifth Column (USA) 4-1 (11-9) Led, ridden between last 2, kept on until headed and no extra, flat, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Del Trotter (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hts chs (6) gf in May.
Little Vantage 5-1 (12-5) 4th of 8, 18l behind Jupiter Jo (12-5) at Hexham Points 3m ptp gf in May.
Sir Alf 2-7fav (12-7) Held up; led on bit 4 out; v easy, won at Mordon 3m ptp frm in May beating Ben From Ketton (12-7) by 5l, 5 ran.
Temple Glen 2-1fav (12-5) Held up in rr; hdwy app 15; led app last til hdd & no ex flat, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Jupiter Jo (12-5) at Hexham Points 3m ptp gf in May.
Toms Party 7-2 (12-0) (cp) outpcd 14; rallied to chall last; nt qckn, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Ungaretti (12-3) at Garthorpe 3m ptp gd in May.
Soprano Lass (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) Trckd ldrs; led 10; held on wl flat, won at Hexham Points 3m ptp gd in May beating Three Spires (12-0) by 6l, 5 ran.
Squeeze Box (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up; prog & ev ch 2 out; sn wknd, 4th of 11, 10l behind Hello Lovely (11-12) at Hexham Points 3m ptp gd in May.
Firion King (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Led 2; r.o game, won at Garthorpe 3m ptp gd in May beating Rathmoley (12-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
