mid-division, headway on bit approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on one pace from last
pulled early and held up in mid-divsion, headway 3 out, ridden and not quicken from 2 out
towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden 2 out, one pace
led, mistake 2nd, headed 3rd, ridden 7th, weakened 8th, pulled up before 2 out
pulled hard and chased leader, led 3rd to before 5th, weakened 7th, pulled up 2 out
held up mid-divsion, fell 6th
prominent, mistake 4th and reminders, headway before 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden and some headway approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
prominent, headway on bit after 3 out, ridden 2 out, ran on to chase winner last, stayed on but not pace of winner
chased leader, mistake 3 out, lost place and pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led after 5th, ridden and quickened 2 out, driven out from last
held up last, ridden 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
In an interesting novice event, we will side with Alderburn, from a shortlist that included Jackson, Bishop's Bridge and Senor Sedona. Alderburn's recent form is solid and he is showing improvement too. His run behind Mount Clerigo at Wetherby being a case in point, and, although he still has a penalty to shoulder, should go well in this event. Jackson was formerly better known on the hunting and pointing circuits but has shown a good level of form over hurdles for new connections, finishing second to Bob Bob Bobbin last time and the very smart Brewster at Cheltenham the time before. Grant him all due respect. Banchory Too, despite showing promise, continues to fall short of expectations, but Bishop's Bridge put in a good effort behind Billyvoddan at Doncaster last time, when fitted with first-time cheekpieces, and, with the longer trip sure to suit, should play a leading part here. Keltic Rock was behind Bishop's Bridge at Doncaster. Finally, Senor Sedona was more than 12 lengths behind Jackson at Cheltenham but then improved to run Bagan to one-and-a-half lengths at Kempton last time. She too must be granted respect but, for today, we will side with Alderburn.
Alderburn 16-1 In touch, chased leaders approaching 5th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from last, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Mount Clerigo at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (D) sft in Jan.
Banchory Two (IRE) 15-2 Pulled early, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 10l behind It's Just Harry at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 50-1 Chased leader, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Billyvoddan at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Jan.
Cloudy Blues (IRE) 200-1 In touch until 4th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Racing Demon at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Jan, 17 ran.
Field of Blue 33-1 Prominent, lost place 5th, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 6, well behind Taranis at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Gilded Ally 200-1 Always behind, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Noble Request at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gd, 14 ran.
Jackson (FR) 2-1 Track winner, led briefly 7th, challenge between last 2, close up last, hard ridden and no impression run in, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Bob Bob Bobbin at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Keltic Rock 5-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, hit 3 out, soon weaken, 5th of 14, 24l behind Billyvoddan at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Jan.
Lord Killeshanra (IRE) 16-1 Mistakes 3rd and 7th, always in rear, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind The Listener at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) sft in Jan.
Prestbury Knight 9-4fav Led to 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, well behind Wee Robbie at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (H) sft in Jan.
Senor Sedona 16-1 Prominent, tracked leader 6th, ridden to dispute lead 2 out, held before last but kept on well for 2nd, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Bagan at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (D) gd in Jan.
Silver Jewel (IRE) 20-1 Led, ridden and headed 3f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 23l behind Be Be King at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gs in Dec.
Thai Town 50-1 Always behind, no impression, 11th of 13, well behind Sesame Rambler at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Jan.
River Trapper (IRE) 3-1 Tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Bagan at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) gs in Jan, 18 ran.
