always prominent, chased winner 4th until 5th and again from 13th, challenged 4 out, not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, went right and slightly hesitant last, headed flat, no extra towards finish
chased winner until 4th and again from next, led 7th until after 8th, not fluent 10th, weakened 4 out, mistake 3 out, tailed off
led to 7th, led again after next, not fluent 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon hung right, hung right again and led flat, driven out
A disappointing field of just three contest this, and it looks to be a head to head between OPTION MONEY and Toni Alcala. Tim Vaughan's gelding has been disappointing in two runs this year, but has shown ability before when winning over hurdles. This is his debut over the bigger obstacles, and is well above his two rivals here on official ratings. The other pair are stablemates from Neil King's yard. Toni Alcala has more than paid his way over the years, and is by far and away the most experienced of the trio. He's giving a ton of weight away to the other two, and that could prove decisive over this trip. Off The Shelf is a former Irish point winner, but has failed to complete in three of his four runs here under rules, and would probably need a shed load of luck to win this. In three of the last four years this race has been won by an odds on favourite, and although it's not likely to be a working man's price, we think Option Money will be in the money.
Toni Alcala 20-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway after 5th, pushed along 11th, 4th when fell 14th, in a race won by BallyGalley Bob (11-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Off The Shelf (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Strong reminders after 3rd, soon dropped to last, tailed off when pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Temoin (11-0) at Lingfield 3m beg chase (4) hvy in Mar, 8 ran.
Option Money (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 17l behind De Welsh Wizzard (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
