in rear, pushed along before 3 out, never a factor, pulled up before 2 out
led and soon clear until before 2 out, soon pressed, kept on strongly from last
held up towards rear, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders in 4th, reminders in 5th before 3 out, kept on same pace and no no impression
always towards rear, fell 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, one pace and no impression before 2 out
held up mid-division, in 4th before 3 out, one pace
tracked clear winner, closed on winner before 2 out, soon every chance, no extra from last
It's no surprise that Barry Geraghty has chosen WEST WIZARD over stablemate Vodka 'n Tonic today as the King's Theatre gelding had looked a nice prospect when chasing home Sgt Reckless in this 12 months ago. Injury prevented him running again last season but he can start making up for lost time now. Arzal is the form horse on his second to Warrantor at Chepstow and he'll be winning soon. Warrantor's trainer, Warren Greatrex, runs bumper winner Alphabet Bay and he's respected as well along with Uptendownone, only beaten a neck on his hurdling debut at Fontwell.
Alphabet Bay (IRE) 8-15fav (10-12) Always handy, led 6f out, shaken up when pressed over 1f out, stayed on well, drawing clear final 100 yards, comfortably, won at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gf in May beating Raise A Spark (10-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Arzal (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Led and keen, mistake and went left after last, soon ridden, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Warrantor (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) sft.
Bay Fortuna 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, made a place 3rd, headway approaching 6th, modest 4th after 6th until approaching 3 out where mistake, soon struggling and eased, tailed off when left distant 4th last, 4th of 8, well behind Shantou Bob (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft.
Empty The Tank (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, losing place when fell 6h, in a race won by Some Plan (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gs, 14 ran.
Gamain (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent, pecked 1st, shaken up and no impression before 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Come On Laurie (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Tiger Feat 7-2 (10-12) Held up, headway on inside 5f out, shaken up when not much room briefly 3f out, outpaced by leading pair over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Latelo (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in May.
Uptendownone (IRE) 9-4 (10-13) In touch in 4th, every chance 2 out, led before last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Glowinginthedark (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Vodka 'n Tonic (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in touch in last, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, last of 4, 25l behind Slim Pickens (11-5) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
West Wizard (FR) 1-6fav (10-12) Took keen hold soon held up in touch, headway 4 out, went 3rd next, chased leader soon after, pushed along and no progress before 2 out, driven and no response between last 2, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Sgt Reckless (10-12) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov '13.
