chased leader, hit 4th, led well before 2 out, narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging, every chance when carried right, and slightly hampered flat, unable to quicken towards finish
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, under pressure from 5th, weakened well before 2 out
held up, smooth headway on outside before 2 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, every chance flat, not pace of winner towards finish
took keen hold, led, headed well before 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, went 2nd well before 2 out, narrow lead 2 out, soon strongly pressed, driven and edged right flat, headed towards finish, soon lost 2nd
mistakes, always in last pair, lost touch 3 out, tailed off when blundered next
always in last pair, lost touch 3 out, tailed off
in touch, not fluent 3 out, headway and driven approaching 2 out, chased leaders last, driven and stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish
This race looks ideal for the classy flat-recruit AINAMA and he can win this before a crack at the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham; the shortlist consists of the penalised duo of Alfie Flits and Dee Ee Williams along with Trenchant. The last-named must be of interest as he gave Torphichen a good race last time out at Sandown. He is turned out quickly as connections need to get a third run into him so he is qualified for the Fred Winter, although he is viewed as good enough to be a backup to Walkon in the Triumph Hurdle. We prefer Ainama however who was ultra-impressive when winning here a month ago. Rated 95 on the level, the former Michael Wigham-trained gelding was a fluent winner here and whilst the bare form needs improving on, he has unlimited potential. He beat Paul Nicholls' Hebridean last time, and that trainer saddles Conflictofinterest today. He needs to improve an awful lot on his Wincanton debut but presumably the handler knows where he stands there. Alfie Flits and Dee Ee Williams have the maximum penalties for winning good class races. The former is really getting the hang of this and is starting to fulfil his potential, and he disposed of Dee Ee Williams easily enough last time and off level weights the same scenario may be on the cards. It is intriguing that Jamie Moore doesn't ride for his father but takes the ride on Terry Mills' Alazari. He was rated 106 on the flat so must be a big big danger if hurdling fluently, however he runs without the blinkers he had sported when last seen and the safer option looks to be Ainama who is nominated accordingly.
Alfie Flits 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden clear approaching last, won at Haydock 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan beating Son of Flicka (11-8) by 4l, 8 ran.
Dee Ee Williams (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 12l behind Alfie Flits (11-11) at Haydock 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Ainama (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) In touch, took closer order 3 out, led 2 out, soon in command, readily, won at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Hebridean (10-7) by 3l, 16 ran.
Alarazi (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders on outer, 5th halfway, 4th approaching straight, soon ridden, outpaced from 2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 12, 10l behind Baron De'l (9-6) at Curragh 1m 2f prm hcp sft in Sept (Flat).
Conflictofinterest 5-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, jumped left 3 out, headway and challenged approaching 2 out, ridden and hung left approaching last, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 18l behind Keki Buku (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Rock 'n' Roller (FR) 6-1 (9-13) Held up, always rear, 13th of 16, 20l behind Kokkokila (9-0) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct (Flat).
Russian Epic 6-1 (9-4) Close up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 14th of 15, 19l behind Opus Maximus (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m hcap (4) gd in Sept (Flat).
Trenchant 14-1 (11-4) In touch, headway after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Torphichen (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft.
