chased winner to 4 out, weakened next
in touch in rear, jumped slowly and ridden 5th, driven and hit 4 out, stayed on under pressure to take 3rd before 2 out, never in contention
always behind, hit 5th, struggling when blundered 4 out, tailed off
in touch, headway to chase leaders 5th, went 2nd 4 out until before next, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, no chance when hit next, tailed off
made all, set strong pace, hit 3 out, clear when pecked next, kept on strongly unchallenged
always behind, pushed along 4th, struggling in rear when hit 4 out
always behind, no chance when blundered badly 4 out, tailed off
always behind, ridden and struggling 4 out, tailed
Alaghiraar has become very disappointing and seeing as the blinkers had little effect on the flat when trained by John Dunlop, even the re-application of the headgear cannot sway us and we will side with FIFTYONEFIFTYONE ahead of Fistral Beach and Mr Gardner. Nicky Henderson could hold the key to this race as he has two live chances, most notably Fiftyonefiftyone. He split According to Dick and Michel Le Bon (runs in previous race) last time in a thrilling finish at the track and he looks open to more improvement. He handles the ground, is unexposed at this trip and looks destined for a big run. Stablemate Mr Gardner is partnered by Tony McCoy, as Barry Geraghty prefers Fiftyonefiftyone. This former Irish point-to-pointer was pitched into decent company last time at Sandown and failed to cope; this looks marginally easier but he needs to improve for this better ground. Fistral Beach is becoming frustrating to follow as he has now been a beaten favourite on his last three starts, all over hurdles, and he is evidently not deserving of his official mark of 127. Penharold has been off the track for two months since pulling up behind Mad Max at the track and he would be a place contender if reproducing his second to Finney at Hereford. Shaking Hands is a potential improver; this point-to-point winner was not disgraced on his debut under rules at Warwick (winner Kayf Aramis has won the Pertemps Final since) and he may do better on this ground, however it is Fiftyonefiftyone can boost the Seven Barrows already-bulging coffers.
Alaghiraar (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden and weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Gala Evening (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb, 20 ran.
Allonby Bay 9-2 (10-12) Chased leader, led over 5f out, headed 2f out, soon edged left, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Maderson Blue (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Jun.
Buffalo Stampede (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 16, 21l behind Ainama (11-4) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Fiftyonefiftyone (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden to lead, approaching 2 out, strongly pressed last, headed final 75 yards, unable to quicken, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind According To Dick (11-8) at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Fistral Beach (IRE) 5-6fav (11-10) Prominent, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Penn Da Benn (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Mr Gardner (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden 5th, ridden and blundered 3 out, weakened soon after, last of 7, 29l behind Junior (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
One And All (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) In rear, jumped slowly 4th, no chance after 7th, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Bakbenscher (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Penharold (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In rear, some headway into mid-division when hit 3 out, soon weakened and eased, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Mad Max (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Shaking Hands (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) In touch and keen, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 7th of 13, 31l behind Kayf Aramis (10-11) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
