held up in rear, steady headway on inside before 3 out, chasing leaders when switched left before 2 out, disputing 2nd 2 out, definite 2nd before last, 4 lengths down last, kept on under pressure run-in, always held
led until 13th, chased leader until before 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
never far away, went 2nd approaching 2 out until before the last, soon no extra, not fluent last, weakened run-in and just held on for well held 3rd
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until 10th, pushed along and weakened 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, led 13th, 4 lengths clear last, hard ridden and stayed on well run-in, always holding on
towards rear when fell heavily10th
mid-division, pushed along after 11th, well outpaced 4 out, rallied and kept on well run-in, went 4th close home and almost snatched 3rd
chased leader until 5th, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off
towards rear, headway into mid-division after 7th, bad blundere 10th, outpaced 3 out, switched left and kept on again run-in, no threat
chased leaders on inside, bumped 4 out, pushed along after next, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division on inside, steady headway 12th, chased winner before 3 out, every chance when bumped 3 out, pushed along and lost 2nd approaching 2 out, chased leaders disputing well held 3rd, weakened into 5th close home
held up towards rear, badly hampered 10th, went right next, plugged on run-in
Ballinvarrig can confirm Kempton running with Cloudy Bob, despite 7lb worse terms. Barry Geraghty is an interesting jockey booking for Wetherby winner Bobcatbilly while Cedre Bleu and Rebel Rebellion are both ridden by claimers, which will help their cause. Eastlake probably needs to drop a few pounds, however, while this is a big step up in class for the hat-trick seeking Mister Grez and King Edmund struggles in this grade nowadays. Fox Appeal was second to Balder Success in a Listed race at Kempton last week but was hugely flattered by the result. NICEONEFRANKIE (NAP) is two from two around here and in the form of his life. He's up another 7lb for his latest win at Cheltenham but never looked in any danger that day and the even softer ground here is in his favour.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, held up tracking leading pair, 2nd after 3 out, ridden and no chance with winner between last two, 2nd of 3, 10l behind Balder Succes (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4f lst chs (1) sft.
Niceonefrankie 16-1 (11-5) Prominent, led 3rd, clear from 10th, in no danger after, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec beating Barrakilla (10-12) by 6l, 12 ran.
Eastlake (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place 5th, well beaten before 2 out, pulled up last, in a race won by Caid Du Berlais (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov, 18 ran.
Cedre Bleu (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Mid division, one pace from 4 out, 4th of 11, 12l behind Dolatulo (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Chased leader until before 5th, not fluent 13th, soon ridden, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 6, 15l behind Filbert (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy.
King Edmund 5-2 (11-7) Took keen hold early, in touch, slightly hampered 2nd, ridden in 4th before 3 out, weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 26l behind Boardwalk Empire (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 7f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Tenor Nivernais (FR) 10-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, mistake 4 out, some headway next, no impression on leaders 2 out, stayed on flat, 5th of 13, 11l behind Splash of Ginge (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Bobcatbilly (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Led, jumped well, clear 2 out, easily, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec beating Alderbrook Lad (10-8) by 9l, 9 ran.
Ballinvarrig (IRE) 3-1fav (10-9) Took keen hold early, held up in 6th, headway 10th, went 2nd 13th, led 3 out, went right 2 out, strongly pressed when edged left close home, held on gamely, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec beating Shangani (11-1) by shd, 8 ran.
Mister Grez (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 6th, made rest, ridden and kept on flat, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs beating Things Change (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ackertac (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, hampered 17th, weakened before 2 out where mistake, pulled up before last, in a race won by The Young Master (10-13) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Cloudy Bob (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Held up in last pair, headway 12th, chased leading pair 14th, pushed along pressing leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and no extra before next, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Ballinvarrig (10-9) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
