held up, headway 8th, not fluent 15th, chased leaders 4 out, effort 2 out, soon one pace
prominent, with leader before 4th, lost place after 8th, headway to challenge approaching 12th, led last, stayed on well
soon chasing leaders, lost place after 3rd, never dangerous after
prominent, led 3rd, headed before next, weakening when fell 12th
soon led, headed 3rd, led again approaching 4th, soon headed, mistake and lost place 10th, chased leaders 12th, soon ridden and weakened
held up, never dangerous
held up, headway approaching 9th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before last
held up, hampered 12th, headway before 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on well after last, not reach winner
behind when unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, lost touch before 12, behind when pulled up before 14th
in touch, headway approaching 4th, soon led, headed last, weakened
Alfy Rich can master Lothian Falcon, with Forest Dante, Beat The Heat and The Merry Mason three more with claims. Alfy Rich had his problems last term but bolted up on his return at Hexham in October, and was unfortunate to suffer an early mistake on a return visit there last month. He could never get going after that and did well to stay on for third. The step up in trip today will help his cause, and he does not look badly treated. Lothian Falcon certainly appreciated a stamina test when scoring over three miles and two furlongs at Doncaster last time, and as that was only his third outing over fences, there should be more improvement to come. Forest Dante is in a bit of form and is lightly-weighted, but at the age of 12 does not have any scope. Beat The Heat won a beginners' chase at Sedgefield in May and has been performing well in defeat since. Sue Smith's The Merry Mason has been absent since May, but if anywhere near fit can go well for a while at least. However, all things considered, Alfy Rich is the selection.
Robbo 22-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon behind, 9th of 12, 50l behind Direct Access (10-0) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (A) sft in Nov.
The Merry Mason (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 9th, 5th of 10, 25l behind Cherry Gold (10-13) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in May.
Celioso (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Led to 1st, pushed along and reminder from 8th, soon tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Bow Strada (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-140 (B) gf in Sept '04.
Beat The Heat (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, kept on from next, no impression, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Fiery Peace (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Nov.
Lothian Falcon 12-1 (10-0) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, led next, ridden approaching last, held on towards finish, won at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Nov beating The Kew Tour (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Prince of Slane 6-1 (10-5) Mid-division, lost place 4th, no danger after, 7th of 13, 25l behind Piraeus (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs.
Alfy Rich 7-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 5th, headway under pressure after 4 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 9, 38l behind Devondale (10-4) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Nov.
Forest Dante (IRE) 5-2co-fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, joined leader 7th, led 14th, ridden approaching last, driven out, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov beating Ede'iff (11-5) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
