led to 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, ridden to lead after 4 out, kept on from last
always behind, hit 9th, tailed off from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden next, one pace and no impression from 2 out
tracked leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, lost place and in rear after 6th, ridden after 4 out, weakened from next
held up, pushed along after 6th, headway 9th, chased winner approaching last, kept on under pressure run-in
Jolly Boy, Good Outlook and Corrib Lad are in the shortlist and we side with Jolly Boy. Venetia Williams' charge has won five on the bounce but he seems untroubled by going and distance and while his rise to a BHB rating of 103 is a concern, the fact that the trainer has come all the way to Ayr to chase the prizemoney is enough to flag him up as a most likely winner. Good Outlook is certainly no mug. His Catterick victory was given a form boost when Welcome To Uno's hacked up some eleven days later. He is unproven on the surface so the market is watched. Corrib Lad has been progressing up the grades. He comfortably accounted for Ideal Du Bois Beury over seventeen furlongs but departed when looking a likely winner on his most recent start over twenty-two. He has chances if he has got over any psychological traumas from that heavy fall. Green Ideal has reportedly been working well at home and is watched in the market. Course specialist Fountain Brig appears best of the rest. Jolly Boy continues to defy the handicapper and we are prepared to chance him in his toughest assignment to date.
Good Outlook (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) With leader, led from 4th, ridden 3 out, kept on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd beating Welcome To Unos (11-6) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Green Ideal 10-1 (10-6) With leaders, challenged 5 out, 2nd and every chance when fell 4 out in race won by Sir Storm (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
True North (IRE) 66-1 (9-9) Prominent to approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Huka Lodge (10-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft, 17 ran.
Corrib Lad (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Held up, headway approaching 9th, chased leaders 12th, every chance when fell 2 out in race won by Fountain Brig (10-0) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Jolly Boy (FR) 8-11fav (10-4) Left in lead on bend after 2nd, made rest, clear from 3 out, comfortably, won at Windsor 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Dec beating Buffalo Bill (11-10) by 6l, 8 ran.
My Lucky Rose (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 23, 8l behind Topanberry (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Fountain Brig 15-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, reminders after 9th, weakened from next and pulled up at the 13th in race won by Brandy Wine (11-0) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 8 ran.
