in touch, headway to chase leaders halfway, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, driven out
in touch, outpaced approaching 2 out
held up mid-dividison, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on flat
always behind, tailed off halfway, pulled up before 5th
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure from last
held up, headway halfway, ridden to join leaders approaching 2 out, soon one pace
held up towards rear, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, pushed along and lost place half way, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
close up, quickly weakened approaching 5th, pulled up before next
Ballyboley gets the nod ahead of According To John and Laertes. Ballyboley shaped like a future winner when chasing home Kildonnan at Warwick 13 days ago and can go well today, particularly as he is receiving 12 pounds from According To John, who has looked good in winning his two novice hurdles to date. Much as the form of Laertes' Newcastle win is not exceptional, today's trip and going will hold no fears and he has to be seriously considered. Capybara has not gone on from a promising Hexham maiden chase win in November, Fastaffaran showed promise behind Rasharrow in the second of his bumper runs, so could go well, while Nevada Red will keep on galloping and might make it into the frame, once again; however, for the winner we will stick with Ballyboley.
According To John (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) In touch, headway 8th, ridden to lead 2 out, driven out, won at Ayr 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Morgan Be (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Laertes 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 9th, led 3 out, ridden out, won at Newcastle 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb beating My Final Bid (11-2) by 5l, 16 ran.
Ballyboley (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up and keen, ridden and headway 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Kildonnan (11-4) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Bobby Icata 66-1 (10-9) Always behind, 14th of 16, well behind Dancing Partner (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (H) sft in Feb '05.
Capybara (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, struggling from 9th, tailed off halfway, 9th of 14, 42l behind Prince of Slane (9-13) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
Dinnie Flanagan (IRE) Windsor Castle gelding out of an unraced mare.
Fastaffaran (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Held up, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, soon ridden and one pace from 2f out, 5th of 15, 9l behind Rasharrow (11-11) at Ayr 2m nhf (H) gd in Apr.
Nevada Red 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 8th, went 3rd when mistake 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 16, well behind Laertes (11-2) at Newcastle 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Silver Hill Lad 100-1 (11-4) Held up in touch and keen, weakened from 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Bougoure (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Feb, 14 ran.
Givitago 200-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, lost place from 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Love That Benny (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb, 17 ran.
Izzyizzenty 11-1 (10-13) Behind, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 12, well behind Stagecoach Diamond (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
