held up mid-division, headway 8th, led 4 out, ridden clear 2 out, ran on well
chased leaders, every chance 2 out, kept on well, no chance with winner
held up, headway halfway, chasing leaders when fell 8th
held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, headway next, weakened after 2nd last
mid-division, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten
behind, headway before 3 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace from last
soon led, headed 7th, mistake next, weakened 3 out
always behind, soon tailed off
mid-division, beaten halfway
prominent, weakened before 3rd, soon behind, pulled up before 9th
Toni Alcala gets the confident vote here with Atlantic Highway and Bengal Bullet rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair fourth behind Shady Baron in what looked a tougher race last time out. This looks easier and despite his penalty he is taken to regain the winning thread under conditions that suit. Bengal Bullet rates the main danger on his latest second behind Tom Sayers. He goes on any ground and with the booking of Tom O'Brien catching the eye for his small stable he should be watched in the market. Atlantic Highway has been placed in point to points but got no further than the first hurdle on his debut. However he hails from a shrewd yard and should relish this longer trip so he should be watched in the market. Of the remainder Comeintothespace has shown ability in the past but does not always use it while Ask Oscar is a gelding by Oscar and he will not have to be anything special to take a hand in the finish but Toni Alcala sets a fair standard and he is our idea of the winner.
Toni Alcala 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led after 5th, headed after 3 out, ridden and one pace from last, 4th of 10, 11l behind Shady Baron (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Aug.
Arafan (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 15th of 16, well behind Out In Front (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f NH flat hvy in Feb.
Ask Oscar (IRE) Oscar gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Atlantic Highway 12-1 (10-11) Mistake and fell at the 2nd in race won by Prince De Bersy (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd mdn hdl (5) gf, 13 ran.
Bengal Bullet 6-1 (10-13) Raced wide, tracked leaders, drew clear with winner approaching 3 out, going well, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, held when mistake last, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Tom Sayers (10-11) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Aug.
Comeintothespace (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Always behind, 7th of 13, 25l behind Storm of Applause (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Dance Day 20-1 (11-0) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Kings Euro (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jul, 12 ran.
Shergill (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up, pecked 1st, some progress after 7th, no extra, 7th of 15, well behind Ballamusic (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Toto's Star (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Always behind, 8th of 11, 47l behind Shes Flying (11-2) at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl frm in Aug '04.
Blue Riband (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) In rear, behind 6th, hit next and pulled up 2 out in race won by Viennchee Run (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f cnd sll hdl (5) gf in Aug, 13 ran.
Winsome Wendy (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Not fluent, in rear when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Toni Alcala (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jul, 11 ran.
Smart (POL) 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, blundered 1st, weakened from 7th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Middleton Dene (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Aug, 10 ran.
