with leader, led 3rd, ridden 4 out, headed towards finish
chased leaders, no extra from last
led to 3rd, remained close up, every chance last, soon no extra
towards rear, never dangerous
not jump well, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
in touch, hit 4th, soon pulled up, dismounted
always behind
held up, ridden 11th, never dangerous
Ballyvoge can get his career back on track by winning this from Monolith and Overserved. The selection won twice between the flags and justified market confidence on debut over hurdles. He's failed to add to that success in five subsequent starts but has twice finished runner-up over fences and shouldn't be long in gaining further success. This test will suit him better than Towcester did last time and his yard is in better form. Monolith went close over an extended 3 miles 1 at Kelso on his second start over fences and a similar performance should be enough to see him involved although the ground is softer than ideal. Conditions should be fine for Overserved who has been in great form over hurdles of late. He could be a threat to all if jumping a fence given his current wellbeing. Mongorno may well prove capable of better and Rothbury is worth a second look but we'll come back to Ballyvoge for our selection.
Ballyvoge (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Held up, headway 9th, blundered badly 12th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Rimsky (10-11) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Cash Man (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Tracked winner, effort 3 out, ridden when fell 2 out in race won by Gardasee (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Im So Lonely 14-1 (11-12) Towards rear when brought down 4 out in race won by Beantown (11-12) at Navan 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Jan, 18 ran.
Lord Samposin 250-1 (11-3) Towards rear, not fluent, never dangerous, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Quws Law (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Monolith 4-1 (11-0) Reminders, lost place after 3rd, chased leaders halfway, led briefly last, soon headed, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Frankie Figg (11-0) at Kelso 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
Overserved 7-1 (11-1) Chased leader, led after 3 out, clear last, won at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb beating Storymaker (10-9) by 11l, 9 ran.
Rothbury 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden approaching and blundered 4 out, gradually weakened, 5th of 9, 15l behind Sharp Reply (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Mongorno (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent, pushed along 7th, soon struggling, last of 11, 50l behind Miss Pross (10-10) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Sammy Spiderman 100-1 (11-6) Mid-division, weakened approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Quws Law (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 16 ran.
