held up in last pair, went moderate 5th approaching 2 out, soon beaten
held up in last pair, headway approaching 4 out, weakened after next
chased leader until 6th, soon lost place, last and struggling after 3 out, tailed off
led, narrowly headed when hit 7th, regained lead 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon readily outpaced by front pair
in touch, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, challenged and upsides 2 out, ridden and still well there last, kept on, readily held by winner flat
in touch until weakened 4 out
keen, close up, tracked leading pair 7th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well and readily held runner up flat
keen, tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led next to 4 out, weakened soon after, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, lost place before 5th, reminders next, soon struggling in rear, tailed off
Point-to-point winner Ballinderry Park is undoubtedly better than he showed when pulled up on his rules debut at Chepstow last month and comes form Charlie Mann's in-form stable but it is hard to get away from MAD MAX, who gets the vote with Karabak rated the best of the rest. The selection won both his bumpers at Newbury with plenty in hand and with Nicky Henderson continuing to churn out plenty of winners, lack of a recent run need not be of concern. The Philip Hobbs-trained The Treacle Eater disappointed at Wincanton last time and may now be best watched, while Henrietta Knight's pair Blue Teal and Bright Spirit make limited appeal. Alan King's Karabak has shown a decent level of form in bumpers and has to be strongly considered but preference is for Mad Max.
Ballinderry Park (FR) 12-1 (10-9) Pulled hard, led 2nd until after 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Pride of Dulcote (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct, 16 ran.
Blue Teal (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, hit 5th, some progress 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 9, 24l behind Mendo (11-0) at Ascot 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Mar '07.
Bright Spirit 5-4fav (12-0) Held up; hdwy 9; led nxt; drew rt away frm 3 out; easy, won at Barbury 2m 4f ptp gf in Apr '07 beating Francly Flora (11-7) by 40l, 6 ran.
Dover's Hill 13-8fav (11-2) In touch, not clear run over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on final 2f, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Friendly King (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Karabak (FR) 11-4fav (11-9) Took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden to chase winner well over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Knockara Beau (11-9) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in May.
Local Present (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 3rd of 5, 48l behind Tchico Polos (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Mad Max (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Held up, headway 7f out, ridden 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m nhf Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb beating The Nightingale (11-7) by 8l, 9 ran.
The Treacle Eater 11-1 (10-5) Towards rear, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Barnhill Brownie (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct, 11 ran.
Waldo Pepper (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 14, 6l behind Cypress Grove (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in Oct.
