tracked leaders, jumped right 2nd, led 7th, ridden and headed when not much room 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
led until 7th, remained prominet, ridden after 13th, not fluent and weakened last, lost 3rd flat
chased leaders, went 2nd after 8th until next, blundered badly and dropped rear 10th, rallied 13th, weakened approaching last, took 3rd flat
held up, disputing 4th, headway 11th, led and jumped left 3 out, headed 150 yards out, one pace
held up, disputing 4th, took keen hold, headway 11th, jumped left and went 2nd 2 out, went left and challenged last, led 150 yards out, stayed on
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
ALFADORA is the recommendation in this staying contest though he faces strong opposition from Prophete De Guye and Quarry Town. Milton Harris' inmate appreciates fast ground and stayed on well over course-and-distance to win last time. This is tougher but the form is there on the board. Prophete De Guye is still at the age where he could be open to improvement. He won impressively at Uttoxeter in May though failed to follow up two weeks later. Quarry Town is tried in blinkers and tonguestrap this evening. The market will give us an idea whether this combination is likely to draw out some latent improvement. Victory Surge is an imponderable on this step up in trip. Distiller was rated in the high 120's over hurdles though he has failed to live up to those levels over the larger obstacles. Alfadora is hardly an original selection but he has more positives than most.
Quarry Town (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, not fluent 8th, hampered next, struggling 14th, never on terms, 6th of 12, 35l behind Midnight Gold (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 3-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, soon ridden, weakened after 9th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by My Skipper (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Feb, 14 ran.
Distiller (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, weakened from 5 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Cold Mountain (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
Alfadora 10-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, headway 11th, went 2nd 3 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf in Jun beating Kilshannig (11-0) by 14l, 11 ran.
Prophete de Guye (FR) 9-4fav (11-1) Held up, pulled hard, headway 3rd, not fluent and lost place 9th, rallied 3 out, closed last, edged left and no extra flat, 4th of 12, 6l behind Petroupetrov (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
Victory Surge (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up behind, headway on outside after 6th, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd next, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner approaching last, clear 2nd when eased towards finish, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Astracad (10-13) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Browneyes Blue (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, outpaced from 8th, went 3rd from 3 out, kept on, always held, 3rd of 4, 10l behind Picaroon (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Morestead (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 5th until after 8th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 27l behind Very Stylish (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
