held up, closing when mistake 4 out, headway next, ridden approaching last, led narrowly flat, caught final strides
held up, headway 8th, ridden to take narrow advantage 2 out, headed flat, regained lead final strides
in touch, headway after 10th, effort after 4 out, held when stumbled next
in touch, headway 8th, led 3 out, ridden, headed next, weakened
chased leaders until 7th, soon behind, pulled up after 4 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
led, ridden, after 4 out, narrowly headed next, rallied gamely, no extra approaching last
held up, blundered 4th, weakened 8th, tailed off
in touch, headway 8th, weakening when mistake 10th
Roll Along is preferred to Alphabetical and Rajam. The selection has the potential to be a good bit better than his current rating of 125 and can bely his inexperience to land this prize. He won with his head in his chest on his chase bow but his task was made a good deal easier when both market rivals departed at the same fence. Alphabetical is relatively exposed but he's proved pretty consistent and should be in the mix once again. Rajam has been in good form since reverting to chasing for his current connections and should find another race but this could prove too competitive. The Hairy Lemon has a little to prove in blinkers whilst Brave Villa has struggled the last twice. Connections have high hopes for Roll Along and hope that he will make up into a Cheltenham horse this season; he can take another step towards that target today.
Roll Along (IRE) 5-4fav (11-1) In touch, closer order 10th, left in lead and clear 4 out, easily, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Monzon (10-8) by 9l, 5 ran.
The Hairy Lemon 9-2 (11-11) In touch, blundered 3rd, ridden after 10th, joined winner 12th, weakened after next, 4th of 7, 32l behind Boomshakalaka (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Bring Me Sunshine (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, blundered 4 out, 8th of 13, well behind Principe Azzurro (10-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Copper Bay (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) In touch, weakened 7th and pulled up in race won by Brave Villa (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Brave Villa (FR) 9-1 (10-9) Prominent, led 4th, headed after next, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 6th of 8, 14l behind Letalus (10-10) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Alphabetical (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Prominent, jumped left, led 5th, ridden and headed soon after 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Randwick Roar (10-3) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Charlies Future 7-1 (11-9) Led until 13th, soon under pressure and weakened, 5th of 13, 11l behind Macmar (11-3) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Rajam 6-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 10th, ridden after 13th, kept on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Nacarat (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Malaga Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden 13th, effort after 14th, soon struggling, 5th of 9, 20l behind Ironside (10-10) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
