led, ridden and headed before last, one pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden and every chance before last, one pace
tracked leader until before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden to lead before last, kept on well
Alderbrook Lad has won his fair share over hurdles and fences and is back in novice company having come up short in a handicap at Cartmel last time. But he has to give weight away to less-exposed types including the hat-trick seeking course winner Mr Burgees and Head Of The Class, who may not have stayed 3m on soft ground at Hexham in May. MAN OF PLENTY (NAP) overturned the long odds-on My Direction over 2m4f here earlier in the month, jumping much better than he did on his hurdling debut behind the same horse - he can follow up in this slightly stronger contest with Killian Moore again taking off 5lb.
Alderbrook Lad (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led at strong gallop, clear with one other to before 3 out, headed between last 2, weakened last, 6th of 7, 40l behind Cool Baranca (9-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f (3) gd in Jul.
Mr Burgees (IRE) 2-7fav (11-5) Made all, clear before 2 out, unchallenged, eased closing stages, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Tomorrow's Legend (10-11) by 8l, 6 ran.
Head Of The Class (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) In rear and keen, soon in touch, chased leaders 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 21l behind Nosey Box (10-3) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in May.
Man Of Plenty 10-1 (10-9) In rear, headway 5 out to go 3rd, ridden to chase leader before last, led after last, kept on, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f 4yo nov stks (4) gd beating My Direction (11-8) by 1l, 5 ran.
