tracked leaders and keen, mistake 1st, led 10th, ridden when hit 4 out, headed next, faded approaching last
tracked leaders throughout, ridden 4 out, led 2 out, all out towards finish
in touch, lost place 4th, mistake 5th, headway again 8th, ridden and mistake 10th, soon lost place and behind when pulled up before 4 out
in touch, ridden 4 out, plugged on
mid-division, headway 10th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
led, headed 10th, mistake next, ridden and weakened, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, closer order 9th, ridden 4 out, weakened soon after, pulled up before 3 out
held up rear, ridden 9th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, weakened after 10th, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, took closer order 8th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on flat, no extra close home
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, jumped slowly and behind 6th, pulled up before 4 out
Alam can cap a good week for Richard Newland, with Alfadora, Magnetic Pole and Lago seen as the main dangers. Having won Wednesday's Coral Cup with Burntoakboy, the good doctor will be brimming with confidence for the remainder of the week, and that augurs well for the chance of Alam. The eight-year-old's penalty is offset by his rider's claim, and despite having topweight, he is taken to follow up last week's Market Rasen success, his first since 2004. A change of stables has obviously worked the oracle, and with conditions to suit, he can foil the four-timer bid of Alfadora. He too carries a 7lb penalty for his latest success at Warwick that takes him on to a career-high mark. The ex-Sir Michael Stoute inmate Magnetic Pole did not beat much on his chase debut at Bangor, but did it well enough, and is the other major player along with Lago who looks well treated as he bids for his first win over fences. Any support for the remainder should be noted, but we are happy to side with Alam.
Alam (USA) 9-2 (11-5) Made all, left clear 2 out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating College City (11-5) by 6l, 9 ran.
Cetti's Warbler 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, went up side 8th until 9th, weakened 14th, 5th of 10, 16l behind Zimbabwe (10-9) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Opal Ridge 11-2 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 13l behind Jonny's Kick (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) gd in Apr.
Abraham Smith 4-1 (11-6) Led, ridden 3 out, 2 lengths clear when fell 2 out in race won by Magnetic Pole (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 5 ran.
Magnetic Pole 15-2 (11-4) Held up, effort 4 out, left in lead 2 out, ridden clear from last, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Heavy Weather (11-12) by 11l, 5 ran.
Captain Aubrey (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Led until 3rd, chased leaders until lost place 7th, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Dream Alliance (10-11) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Alfadora 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leader from 3rd, led 12th, clear 14th, in command when hit 2 out, kept on easy, won at Warwick 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy beating Milton Des Bieffes (11-5) by 9l, 4 ran.
Hopesarising 4-1 (11-7) Held up, improved 10th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Thompsons Wood (12-0) at Huntingdon 3m nov hts chs (5) sft in Feb.
Lago 15-2 (10-3) Behind, headway after 4 out, hampered when left 2nd last, weakened run-in, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Auntie Kathleen (10-8) at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Jardin de Beaulieu (FR) 9-1 (10-0) Mid-division, dropped to rear 8th, well behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Tommy Carson (10-0) at Plumpton 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
Tenderal (FR) 80-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, well behind Back For The Craic (10-9) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan.
Drat 20-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden after 12th, weakened 4 out, beaten when pulled up 3 out in race won by Alfadora (10-2) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy, 7 ran.
Little Villain (IRE) 9-2fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, closer order 5th, ridden after 3 out, chased winner last, one pace, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Pop Gun (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy.
