chased leaders, led 2 out, clear last, easily
held up, pushed along 6th, kept on flat, never troubled leaders
keen, with leader until pushed along approaching 5th, soon weakened, behind when hit 7th
held up, headway 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, keen in rear, pushed along after 7th, kept on flat, never trouble leaders
join leaders 3rd, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when hit last
in touch, headway approaching 5th, hung left, outpaced after 3 out, kept on flat, took 2nd towards finish
made most until ridden, headed 2 out, hung left approaching last, weakened flat
Dream Alliance looks the one to be on here, with Coleraine and Tempsford looking the only remote dangers in what should be a penalty kick for the selection. Philip Hobbs's runner is strongly favoured by the conditions here as evidenced by his very easy success in desperate ground at Chepstow last month. He has to give weight away here as a result, but should have no trouble in doing so and can make hay. Coleraine gets the trip and acts with cut, so he does have some positives, but on what we have seen he needs something special here to score, while Tempsford will act on the ground but was pulled up in Dream Alliance's race at Chepstow and a win here would certainly raise a few eyebrows. Woodview might be a better option for forecasts. Kim Bailey's seven-year-old is only a plodder but he will see out the trip on this ground and can run into the frame, but Dream Alliance left a good impression last time and can go in again.
Dream Alliance 10-11fav (11-5) Chased leader, led 4 out, clear 2 out, easily, won at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Principe Azzurro (11-5) by 7l, 14 ran.
Coleraine (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 16, 31l behind Molostiep (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs.
Dino's Dandy 11-1 (11-3) Always in rear, 8th of 9, well behind Lord Ryeford (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Mr Smithers Jones 50-1 (10-12) In rear, mistake 4, soon lost touch and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Vingis Park (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Tempsford (USA) 7-1 (11-5) Held up, some headway 7th, weakened 4 out, jumped left 3 out, 11th of 14, well behind Dream Alliance (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
William Butler (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, reminders and weakened from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Cloudy Lane (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Woodview (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 11, 29l behind Party Games (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (4) gs in Jan.
Casalani (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Lord Ryeford (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 9 ran.
