tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, never on terms, weakened before 2 out
led narrowly, headed after 3rd, led again before next, made rest, ridden after 2 out, hard pressed flat, stayed on well towards finish
held up behind, outpaced before 2 out, never a threat
chased leaders to 4th, outpaced 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, driven and lost place before next, weakened between last 2
with winner, led after 3rd to before next, in touch, challenged before 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, no chance with front pair between last 2
held up behind, struggling 3 out, ridden after next, went left last, never threatened leaders
mid-division, headway when hit 3 out, went 2nd next, soon ridden, stayed on to press winner flat, no extra towards finish
towards rear, struggling 3 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, lost place after 3 out, went 4th and kept on under pressure towards stands side rail between last 2, ridden out, never on terms
It’s been some time since THE HERDS GARDEN recorded his only win so far but he looks capable of scoring off his current mark having been narrowly beaten at Bangor last month. Donald McCain’s charge gets the vote in front of Life Knowledge, who also found only one to good at Musselburgh last time behind the selection’s stablemate Spin The Coin. Ballyfarsoon is regularly placed but has yet to win over hurdles while Nicolas Chauvin was still well beaten when third over these obstacles recently though is back on a winning mark and preferred of the remainder.
Ballyfarsoon (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) With leader, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Kloud Gate (12-1) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
The Herds Garden 4-1 (12-0) Prominent, led 3rd, ridden 2 out, hit next and soon headed, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind The Crazed Moon (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Nicolas Chauvin (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 7th, 3rd from 3 out, ridden after next, no impression, no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 12 3/4l behind Midnight Chill (11-8) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Frozon 20-1 (11-9) Keen, tracked leader, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 9, 16l behind Bisoubisou (10-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Starplex 100-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, pushed along and struggling 3f out, last of 12, 19 1/4l behind Loud And Clear (9-3) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Kennedys Field 9-2 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Lastin' Memories (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Life Knowledge (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Led, flattened 3rd, joined 4 out, left 3 lengths clear next, not fluent and headed last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Spin The Coin (12-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) gd in Dec.
Pullman Brown (USA) 40-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, always behind, tailed off before 3 out, pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Baratineur (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, no impression, 5th of 14, 15 1/2l behind Bonza Girl (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Strait Run (IRE) 40-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, never on terms with leaders, 6th of 15, 28l behind Rockliffe (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Mac Cennetig (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, not much room and lost place 3 out, no impression after, 8th of 15, 37l behind Rockliffe (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
