tracked leaders, kept on same pace from 4 out, no impression
tracked leaders, went 4th before 4 out, one pace and no impression
held up towards rear, headway 7th, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace and always held by winner from 2 out
in rear, pushed along and weakened after 5 out
towards rear, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, led 3rd, reminders after 5 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on well
led to 3rd, tracked leader, mistake 8th, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
STEPHEN HERO made a fair debut over fences at Market Rasen last week. Probably the best of these over hurdles, he should go one better today. King Alfonso has his first try over the larger obstacles but shouldn't be far away if his jumping holds up and he makes more appeal than Mr Burgees, who's been struggling lately. Romeo Americo has disappointed since his second at Uttoxeter in October but looks best of the rest with Macarthur little better than a plater nowadays.
King Alfonso 10-1 (11-5) Chased clear leader, closed 4th, not fluent next, led after 3 out, hung right and headed after 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 7l behind War Singer (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in May.
Macarthur 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, chased leaders after 4 out, one pace next, stayed on flat, just held for 3rd near finish, no impression, 4th of 10, 20l behind Tanerko Emery (11-9) at Worcester 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in May.
Mr Burgees (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, mid-division 2nd, closed before 5th, struggling after 2 out, fell last, in a race won by Vodka Wells (11-5) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May, 8 ran.
Mr Mafia (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, jumped right at times, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 9th of 12, 38l behind Bennachie (10-10) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in May.
Romeo Americo (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Behind, headway and in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Pair Of Jacks (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May, 6 ran.
Stephen Hero (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd and mistake 3 out, hit 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 17l behind Risk A Fine (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f beg chase (4) gd.
Tony (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) In tch til blun 15; to & pu aft 3 out, in a race won by Numbercruncher (12-0) at Cheshire 3m ptp gd in Apr, 7 ran.
