made all, soon clear, hit 5 out, unchallenged
close up in chasing group, ridden and weakened 6 out, tailed off and pulled up over 2 out
blundered 2nd, rider lost iron, in rear, jumped slowly 7th, behind from next, pulled up after 12th
held up in chasing group, ridden to chase clear leader 5 out, no impression
chased winner, at least 15 lengths adrift until 5 out, weakened next
General Alarm can see off the challenge of County Final in what looks a two-horse race on paper. General Alarm has been running over fences since the very first day of the year, and appears to have now settled in completely since coming over from Ireland. Having been disqualified for interference at Cartmel in July, Richard Ford's nine-year-old made amends in no uncertain manner at Sedgefield last week, making all to beat his nearest rival by 17 lengths, and if Tom Greenway gets him into a rhythm here, a follow-up is very much on the cards. It will be interesting to see whether Tony McCoy takes him on with County Final, as his only previous win to date came at Wexford with front-running tactics. Held up in his races since, surely they will try and take the selection on here. Even so, we reckon that he will not be good enough, and the other three here will certainly not, so the scene appears set for General Alarm to deliver again.
General Alarm 4-1 (10-7) Jumped well, led after 1st, clear halfway, clear 2 out, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov chs (4) gf in Sept beating Three Mirrors (10-12) by 17l, 10 ran.
County Final (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd and no impression when left 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Reflex Blue (10-9) at Stratford 2m 5f beg chs (3) gf in Sept.
Dun Aengus 150-1 (10-9) Never a factor, behind from 12th, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Yes Sir (11-8) at N Abbot 3m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Aug.
Herecomestanley 14-1 (10-13) Held up, headway to chase leaders 4 out, upsides and evry chance when fell 4 out in race won by Amicelli (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (2) gd in Sept, 6 ran.
Rathlin Island 20-1 (10-11) In touch to halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Predator (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Aug, 5 ran.
