tracked leaders, went 2nd 10th, challenging when fell 3 out
tracked leader, led after 3rd, pressed when left 10 lengths clear 3 out, jumped slowly and reduced advantage 2 out, headed before last, weakened flat
held up in 4th, not fluent 3rd, outpaced 4 out, left 15 lengths 3rd 3 out, closed from 2 out, went 2nd soon after last, no impression on winner
led until after 3rd, jumped right and not fluent 6th, lost 2nd 10th, not fluent and reminder 11th, outpaced 4 out, left 10 lengths 2nd 3 out, closed next, led before last, stayed on well
Balding Banker doesn't have much in the way of pace and will have found 2m4f too short at Ayr last time. He should be winning over fences soon but winning point-to-pointer and hurdler RUDEMEISTER has more scope and looks the one to be on. Andrew Parker's charge was in the process of making a very promising start over regulation fences at Musselburgh last month when falling at the fourth last. He'll have learnt from that and can get the better of Dannanceys Hill, another winner between the flags who ran well over a trip too short last time. Rapidolyte De Ladalka is by no means out of this having won a minor event over the course and distance before running in a much better race than this at Wetherby.
Balding Banker (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Chased leaders, headway to lead 4th, hit next, narrowly headed 12th, chased leader, every chance when mistake 4 out, ridden stayed on same pace and no chance with winner from after 2 out, held on for 2nd, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Nuts N Bolts (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Rudemeister (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, challenging when fell 4 out, in a race won by Viva Colonia (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chase (4) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Dannanceys Hill (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, challenged 10th, hit 12th, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Tipsy Dara (10-12) at Ayr 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Rapidolyte De Ladalka (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Chased leader to 4th, reminders after 7th, soon lost place, weakened before 5 out, 5th of 7, 36l behind Fourjacks (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft in Jan.
