chased leader, ridden 6th, led 7th, headed after 2 out, weakening when hit last
held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 7th, led after 2 out, stayed on well
in touch, headway 5th, one pace from last
held up, pushed along after 6th, soon weakened
held up behind, struggling when pulled up before 3 out
led to 7th, soon lost place, pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden 5th, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 6th, weakened after 7th, pulled up after next
held up, ridden 5th, never dangerous
held up in touch, chasing leaders approaching 5th, weakened 4 out
Nonrunner
This has proved a very good race for favourites and Ballyboley can continue that trend from Kings Euro, Browneyes Blue and Mr Twins. The selection relishes cut in the ground and carries a penalty here courtesy of a Worcester success last time over slightly further than this. First time blinkers are applied and can help keep his mind on the job sufficiently to follow up in what is not a hot race. Kings Euro finished three-quarters-of-a-length behind Ballyboley at Worcester and as they meet on the same terms it is not obvious how he can reverse those placings. That was his first start over hurdles however and there will be those prepared to believe that he will improve enough to take this. Browneyes Blue won over c&d when last seen out here in May. Local trainer Jimmy Moffatt loves to win here, but this gelding does not act anything like as well on soft ground and so is opposed. Of the remainder Mr Twins will handle trip and ground but probably needs a drop in the weights to win, while the same goes for Water Pistol, and preference is for Ballyboley.
Ballyboley (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on under strong pressure flat, won at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jun beating Kings Euro (11-2) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Browneyes Blue (IRE) 5-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway 5th, when 2nd 3 out, led approaching last, soon clear, won at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May beating Beauty One (10-6) by 17l, 13 ran.
Kings Euro (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Led approaching 2nd and set steady pace, hit 3 out, clear when hit last, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft beating Insignia (10-4) by 10l, 10 ran.
Water Pistol 17-2 (9-10) With leader, led 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, stayed on and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Southern Bazaar (9-8) at Cartmel 3m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Medianoche (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Always in rear and pulled up in race won by Mighty Fine (12-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs, 16 ran.
Mr Twins (ARG) 10-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, effort after 2 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Sadler's Cove (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jun.
Roman Army (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Towards rear, outpaced 2 out, kept on one pace run-in, no impression on leaders, 4th of 9, 26l behind Programme Girl (10-12) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Jun.
