tracked leaders, effort after 16th, led briefly when mistake and headed 3 out, lost place after last, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 3rd final 120 yards
led to after 2nd, led again 4th until after 8th, in touch, reminder 14th, ridden 3 out, stayed on to chase winner after last, kept on same pace, well held final furlong
behind and soon pushed along, headway under pressure 3 out, ridden after last, stayed on to go 3rd final 120 yards, never nearer
in touch on inside, led after 8th, headed briefly 3 out, ridden after last, stayed on well
led after 2nd, headed 4th, remained prominent, ridden after 16th, soon lost place, no impression from 4 out
in touch, headway to join winner 10th, lost place 15th, outpaced when mistake 2 out, weakened after last
held up in touch, struggling 15th, soon lost touch, tailed off
BALLYVONEEN is in fabulous form with four wins from his last five starts and has obviously suffered accordingly at the hands of the assessor. However, he's only seven and there could be more to come so we'll stick with him here as he takes on a some exposed opponents. The extended trip should prove no obstacle and he was staying on well over 3m3f at Sedgefield when scoring last time. Matmata De Tendron is a steady old stick in such contests and he would be the one to take advantage of the topweight fails to fire, especially in receipt of over two stones. Heez A Steel and Lutin Du Moulin would be capable of taking a handing if rediscovering their best but have both been in no sort of form over the past year.
Ballyvoneen (IRE) 5-2fav (10-13) Held up mid-division, chased leaders before 10th, went 2nd before next, ridden to lead before and mistake last, kept on, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May beating Brize Norton (10-3) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 100-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, hit 11th, soon lost place, pulled up after 18th, in a race won by Merigo (10-2) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 24 ran.
Lutin du Moulin (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Close up, pushed along 13th and soon lost place, 6th of 9, well behind Mansonien L'as (10-4) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in May.
Danny John Boy 18-1 (11-9) Tracked leader until 5th, given reminders, lost place before 10th, behind 11th, went poor 3rd flat, tailed off, 3rd of 10, 46l behind Tipsy Dara (11-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Apr.
Matmata de Tendron (FR) 11-4fav (10-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 16th, went 3rd before last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Mansonien L'as (10-4) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in May.
Von Galen (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Soon chased winner, ridden before 14th, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 9, 19l behind Ukrainian Star (11-7) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 100-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Pheidias (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gf in May.
