led, headed 4 out, last and weakening when blundered next, soon pulled up
tracked leader, challenged 4 out, ridden next, kept on until no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
held up in rear, struggling 11th, outpaced when blundered 5 out, headway under pressure after next, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, outpaced 5 out, no impression from next
held up in touch, blundered 7th, lost place 5 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
held up, smooth headway 5 out, led on bit next, 7 lenghts clear last, stayed on well comfortably
Aleron can lead the field home in Wetherby's feature race. Last year's winner Leading Man and Silver Knight can scrap it out as the best of the rest. Having said that, Flying Enterprise will also have to be considered if there is a significant down pouring of rain before the "off". The last named is capable on his day but does need plenty give underfoot to be seen at his best. Silver Knight is standing dish at the West Yorkshire course and, having won here four times already, is favourite with the crowd. However, his two outings this season have been below his usual standard and he comes here with a bit to prove. The same has to be said of Leading Man, who has failed to complete in three of his last four starts. Even so, Ferdy Murphy's gelding is now on the same mark of 128 that he won this off last year; so he cannot be confidently ruled out. Still, Aleron's second in the Rehearsal Chase gives him a major shout. John Quinn's charge has finally got the hang of fencing this season and, with the numerous doubts about his rivals coping with today's test, Aleron looks the most reliable option available.
Hard Act To Follow (IRE) 9-4fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, blundered badly 17th, not recover and pulled up 4 out in race won by Turko (11-11) at Sandown 3m Grad Ch (2) gs, 5 ran.
Flying Enterprise (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway after 17th, hampered 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on, 6th of 16, 5l behind Over The Creek (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd.
Leading Man (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (10-8) Not fluent in mid-division, outpaced 10th, soon behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by Harmony Brig (10-12) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs, 15 ran.
Aleron (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) In touch, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Harmony Brig (10-12) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs.
Silver Knight 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 6th, headed 8th, left in lead approaching 9th, headed 12th, soon weakened, tailed off, 3rd of 7, well behind Canada Street (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Lothian Falcon 5-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Opera Mundi (11-12) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
