held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression
held up in touch and keen, ridden and lost place approaching 2 out
held up and keen, headway approaching 3 out, in 4th when blundered 2 out, soon weakened
chased winner, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
always behind
held up, weakened from 3 out
made all, stayed on well from 2 out
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always struggling, towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
Aleron has been keeping good company and can beat the likes of Chockdee, with Escayola and Manx Royal making for an interesting contest. Aleron has been a credit to connections, having been on the go all season, and a fifth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle was no more than he deserved. John Quinn's charge then ran a blinder when eventually finishing third behind Cornish Sett and Coat Of Honour at Ayr, and fully deserves to get back to winning ways. He should have too much class for these rivals, the best of whom may be Chockdee. He was unlucky at the last Cheltenham meeting when Ruby Walsh lost his irons, and has also been taking on decent company, but on a line through Coat Of Honour, he looks held by the selection, albeit only narrowly. Escayola looked beaten when falling at Taunton but that was his first run for some time, while Manx Royal has plenty of weight. Even so, he should make his presence felt, but Aleron is a tough sort who will not go down lightly.
Manx Royal (FR) 7-2 Held up, headway 6th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gd beating Charlton Kings by 16l, 8 ran.
Aleron (IRE) 7-2 Led, quickened pace approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, headed last, no extra flat, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Cornish Sett at Ayr 2m nov hdl (B) gd.
Beamish Prince 11-10fav Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Motive at Catterick 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Mar.
Chockdee (FR) 9-4 In touch, quickened to lead when dived left at last, headed, rider nearly unseated and lost iron, lost all chance, 5th of 8, 8l behind Enhancer at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl (B) gd.
Escayola (IRE) 5-4 Held up in touch, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and quickened approaching 2 out, not fluent 2 out, just headed when fell in race won by McBain at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gf, 5 ran.
Queen Soraya 10-1 Held up in rear, smooth headway after 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 5th of 15, 9l behind Penneyrose Bay at Newbury 2m 5f mrs lst nov hdl (A) gs.
Briery Fox (IRE) 7-1 Mid-division, headway and not fluent 8th, ridden and every chance 3 out, stayed on, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Halcon Genelardais at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Swift Swallow 5-2 Held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, not fluent last, no extra flat, 4th of 12, 9l behind Charlton Kings at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Mar.
