jumped right throughout, made all, drew clear after 4 out, blundered last, eased flat
held up, headway 11th, ridden after 14th, soon beaten, held off
never fluent in touch, mistake 14th, ridden after next, hit 2 out, took 2nd flat, no chance with winner
jumped right throughout, chased winner, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, mistake 3rd, behind, reminders 6th, tailed off from 12th, pulled up before 2 out
behind, some late headway from 4 out, pressing for 3rd when blundered 2 out, one pace after
Alakdar might just be able to land the hat-trick, despite being raised 26lbs for his last two runs. This longer trip is much more likely to suit also after he won over shorter at the track last time. While it will be no easy task for the gelding, many of the others have question marks about them. Vague Idea goes well here and is just four pounds higher than for his most-recent course win. Lucky Clover is also a course and distance winner and suggested a return to somewhere near his best was on the cards last time, although bear in mind that he is not the most consistent of performers. Dunmanus Bay has been let down by his jumping recently but is at least returning to the kind of mark that saw him win in April. Dale Creek was well behind the selection at Worcester in July but is now 27lbs better off. That was, however, his first run since January and he ought to strip fitter for it. Turning to the others, Blazing Batsman has won from his current mark - on soft going at Fakenham nearly two years ago - and Millennium Gold, while not blessed with ability, has been running consistently from around today's mark, but a placing might be the best he can, once again, hope for. Once again, then, it's Alakdar to land the hat-trick.
