in rear, ridden 4 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, took closer order 6th, lost place 9th, blundered last
held up and keen, weakened 4 out
led, headed 13th, one pace from 4 out
tracked leaders 7th, led 3 out, driven out from last
held up in touch, weakening when blundered 3 out
close up, chased winner 2 out, stayed on from last
held up in touch, led 13th, headed 3 out, weakened next
Noir Et Vert was a shade unlucky at Musselburgh and makes a quick bid for compensation but preference is for ALDERBURN ahead of Gungadu. The handicapper has been slow to relent with the last named of that trio but he's beginning to do so and he'll actually race from a couple of pounds below the mark from which he won the Racing Post Chase last year if you take Skelton's claim into account. He's never won over a trip this far but everything else appears to be in his favour. Noir Et Vert was just moving into a challenging position when badly hampered last time and he appears to be nearing his peak so should go well if the race hasn't left its mark. Comply Or Die and Idle Talk may have their eyes on Aintree whilst Out The Black and Apollo Creed may not be well enough handicapped. Ungaro was second last year but was way below par at Kempton whilst Gidam Gidam may lack the change of gear required to take the top prize. Henry Daly has hit top form over the past couple of weeks and Alderburn may be able to gain his first win in almost two years. Despite that losing run, he's still 5lbs higher than for that last success but he is 3lbs lower than when finishing a close third in last year's renewal. This trip takes him to the very limit of his stamina but he looks primed to run a big race and Andrew Tinkler may be able to keep enough up his sleeve to nurse Alderburn home.
Gungadu 11-1 (11-7) In touch, blundered and unseated rider at the 13th in race won by Can't Buy Time (9-7) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan, 9 ran.
Ungaro (FR) 11-1 (10-11) Behind, blundered 13th, tailed of 4 out and pulled up 4 out in race won by Nacarat (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd, 20 ran.
Alderburn 6-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Niche Market (9-9) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
Idle Talk (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, weakened 11th, 7th of 11, 37l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Out The Black (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division, mistake 14th, headway next, ridden to chase winner after 3 out until approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 6l behind Niche Market (9-9) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
Apollo Creed (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in touch and raced wide, went 2nd approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 9, well behind Merigo (10-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec.
Gidam Gidam (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced 17th, stayed on from 3 out, 3rd of 19, 11l behind Jass (10-9) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan.
Noir Et Vert (FR) 2-1fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching when hampered 4 out, weakened from next, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Brave Rebellion (11-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Comply Or Die (IRE) 28-1 (11-11) In touch until 10th, soon struggling in rear, gradually lost touch from 13th, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Mon Mome (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
