tracked leaders, joined leader 2 out, led before last, joined and hard pressed run-in, kept on gamely to assert final 100 yards
held up well in rear, smooth headway before 2 out, upsides and every chance when mistake last, pressed winner run-in, held final 100 yards
took keen hold in fourth place, weakened 3 out
led and set strong pace, headed after 3 out, weakened rapidly
chased leader, mistake 3rd, led after 3 out, joined 2 out, headed before last where mistake
held up in rear and well off the pace, effort under pressure but no impression approaching 2 out
held up in fourth, ridden when hampered 5th, weakened before 3 out
held up in 5th until mistake and fell 5th
always well in rear, ridden before 5th, tailed off when mistake 3 out
held up in 7th and well off the pace, mistake 3rd, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
A good quality renewal of this feature race can go to Altay, who is much better than his effort on his recent reappearance would suggest, and he gets the vote over the in-form Perouse, Greenhope and Hawadeth, who are all capable of making this a real test for the selection. Limerick Boy is also better than he showed last time but he will do well to give so much weight away at this level of competition. Of the remainder, Golden Alpha has a little to prove on his first start over timber for quite some time and looks opposable on the balance of form. Whereas Pirandello has improvement to find with a few of these and is also passed over this afternoon. In contrast Altay, winner of the Grade 3 Merewood Homes Swinton Handicap Hurdle last May, has a useful turn of foot on his day and comes here just as his stable are beginning to fire once again. Altay was badly in need of the run at Cheltenham when he was last seen out and can confidently be expected to be a different proposition as he bids to land another big prize for his shrewd connections.
