disputed lead until led 5th, ridden 2 out, soon headed, one pace and hit last
close up, mistake 4th and lost ground, weakened 3 out, tailed off
disputed lead until 5th, tracked leader, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off
keen tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led soon after next, ran on
keen in rear, headway to track leaders 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden 3 out, soon went 4th, kept on same pace
A former John Gosden inmate, Pyramid Place was just denied on his hurdling debut at Lingfield. That form may not amount to much, however, and ADMIRAL BALKO makes more appeal at the likely odds. Jane Williams’ gelding is by a leading NH sire and the first foal to race of a winning jumper in France so has the right credentials. The market will tell us all we need to know about the others.
Admiral Balko (FR) Balko gelding out of Singaminnie.
Badreputation 50-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden and weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Beat The Heat (9-0) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Nuriel (GER) 150-1 (10-12) Held up in 5th, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, no chance after, 6th of 9, 22 3/4l behind Breguet Boy (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Pyramid Place (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, held up in last pair, closer approaching 4 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, left in close 2nd at the last, driven and strong challenge towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind Jersey Grey (11-0) at Lingfield 2m mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Sure I'm Your Man (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Prominent and disputed the lead, pushed along and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, faded tamely, 12th of 13, 32 1/2l behind Calvinist (9-10) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
The Imposter (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Midfield, hit 1st, shuffled towards rear 4 out, ridden turning for home, tailed off 3 out where awkward, last of 8, dist behind Hell Red (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.