in touch, weakened over 5f out
close up, reminders over 6f out, weakened 5f out
close up on outer, led over 5f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, driven out
close up, pushed along over 7f out, weakened over 5f out
held up towards rear, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
led, headed over 5f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders on outer, chased winner from over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and held towards finish
always behind, tailed off from over 5f out
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened over 4f out, tailed off
held up mid-division, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
With several fancied runners, Alan Swinbank could be in for a bumper day at this extra fixture as ALFIE FLITS is another that looks to have outstanding claims. A Listed winner on the Flat and successful in a Grade 2 hurdle at Haydock last year the eight-year-old, who won a bumper over C&D in 2006, made a winning debut over fences at Kelso last month and should have too much class for his rivals here. Donald McCain's pair Always Bold and Khachaturian are out-and-out stayers, but My Arch should go well. Ollie Pear's gelding won on the Flat at Newmarket in August though is unproven on the all-weather. Winning chasers Den Of Iniquity, Noble Crusader, Potemkin and Saveiro may all struggle to match strides with the selection on these terms.
Alfie Flits 11-8fav (11-0) Led from 2nd, made rest, stayed on well from last, won at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Blackpool Billy (11-0) by 11l, 6 ran.
Always Bold (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, soon lost place, behind from next, 5th of 9, 47l behind Working Title (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Den of Iniquity 7-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway to be close up 4th, blundered 8th, reminders next, ridden and jumped right 12th, weakened 14th, pulled up next,
Feeling Peckish (USA) 14-1 (9-13) Led until 4th, led 6th until 13th, no impression from 4 out, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 14l behind Azulada Bay (11-8) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Jubilee George 12-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway 10th to take closer order, weakened 3 out, last of 6, 44l behind Foxesbow (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Khachaturian (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Led 1st, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 15th of 18, well behind Grands Crus (10-10) at Haydock 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
My Arch 9-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, headway and in touch 8th, mistake 10th, smooth headway to join leader 5 out, led, going well next, driven clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov '09 beating Heavenly Chorus (10-2) by 7l, 10 ran.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) In touch, joined leader 4 out until ridden next, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 41l behind Motarjm (11-8) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Potemkin (USA) 33-1 (11-5) Raced in rear, but in touch, pushed along from halfway, headway after 3 out, never on terms, 4th of 7, 41l behind Medermit (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs.
Bosamcliff (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, soon given reminders, never a factor, 9th of 11, 35l behind Swiss Art (11-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Noble Crusader (USA) 11-2 (11-9) In touch until ridden along and struggling in rear 5th, driven and rallied to 3rd before 3 out, chased leader 2 out, 3 lengths down approaching last, stayed on under strong pressure to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating King Ozzy (11-4) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Saveiro (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Led to 4th, reminders approaching next, disputing 3rd when fell 8th,
