led, headed 4th, led again 8th, ridden 2 out, stayed on
in touch, ridden 10th, weakened 3 out
tracked leader, led 4th until 6th, led again next, headed 8th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out
held up in rear, headway 10th, chased winner next, effort 2 out, soon one pace
mid-division, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, led 6th, headed next, ridden 9th, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, ridden and weakened 8th
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, ridden and headway to go 3rd 4 out, no impression after
Big Al gets the confident vote here with Mistral De La Cour and Wild Knight rating the main dangers. The selection was only fourth behind Lost In Normandy last time out but he looks sure to appreciate the drop in trip and as he looked progressive before that he is taken to regain the winning thread. Mistral De La Cour rates the main danger on his best form but one win in 28 attempts is off putting. Wild Knight is another worthy of respect on his latest fourth behind Meet The Legend but he looks vulnerable to a less exposed type. Of the remainder, Carnt Spell goes well fresh so could go well at a price but for the winner we are happy to return to Big Al.
Big Al (IRE) 6-4fav (10-2) Prominent, led 10th, headed 13th, weakened next, 4th of 7, 28l behind Lost In Normandy (9-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Nov.
Carnt Spell 9-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 9th, mistake 11th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 13, 43l behind Fieldsofclover (11-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Apr.
Emerald Destiny (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Always towards rear and mistakes, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Lawaaheb (11-8) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Oct, 16 ran.
Jaoka du Gord (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 13l behind Westfield Dancer (12-3) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Jun.
Log On Intersky (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Led 1st, jumped right 3rd and 4th, headed after next, chased leader until before 10th, weakened when blundered 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 10, 42l behind Golden Oak (10-8) at Towcester 2m 3f chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 9-2 (10-13) Held up in touch, keen hold, hit 8th and 9th, weakened next, 5th of 11, 40l behind Chimichurri (11-5) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov.
Tudor Oak (IRE) 40-1 (9-10) brought down in race won by Blazing Hills (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs (5) gf in Nov, 11 ran.
Wild Knight (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Close up, ridden 8th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 7, 25l behind Meet The Legend (10-13) at Exeter 2m 6f amt nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
