with leader, led 6th, shaken up after 2 out, driven out
chased leaders, left 2nd and not fluent 3 out, stayed on same pace
led until 6th, chased winner after, every chance when ran out 3 out
prominent until ridden and weakened 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up, jumped left 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, hit 3 out soon weakened
held up, ridden after 5th, not fluent next, soon behind, pulled up before 8th
held up in touch, headway 7th, hit 3 out, weakened before next
saddle slipped and pulled up before 2nd
This looks a laydown for Woodlands Genpower who can easily give weight and a beating to Five Alley and Moorlands Return. Woodlands Genpower has the required stamina to last round this exacting circuit as he showed when galloping his rivals into the ground over three miles and a furlong at Warwick just before Christmas, beating Heir To Be by 18 lengths no less. That emphatic victory came as no surprise, given that his trainer Peter Pritchard reckons he is the best horse that he has ever trained, and having turned out in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last March, he could well turn up at this year's Festival for one of the big handicap hurdles. Not disgraced in Grade 2 company at Prestbury Park in December, it is hard to see anything getting past the grey here. Five Alley was successful between the flags in October, and Moorlands Return made plenty of mistakes at Plumpton, and they appear to be the best of the opposition, so although he will be a short price, it is impossible to oppose Woodlande Genpower who gets the most confident of votes.
