in rear, headway to chase leaders at 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened soon after
chased leaders, led after 3 out, challenged next, kept on well from last
held up, headway 7th, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance last, one pace, run-in
held up in touch, ridden, weakened after 3 out
in touch, weakened 3 out
led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
with leaders until 7th, ridden, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
held up, effort, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, ridden, every chance approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, mid-division, weakened at 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, effort 3 out, soon weakened
Not too many make that much appeal here and Ball O Malt, whose form looks the strongest on offer, is fancied make this a really good test for the likes of Brave Rebellion, Bougore and Scotts Court, who look to be the pick of the reminder. Scotts Court has shown promise in bumpers and looks to be going the right way to pick up a small race somewhere along the line. He handled the track well on his debut and, assuming that Nigel Tinkler has got him spot on for his first outing over hurdles, he should learn plenty from this. The same can be said of Bougore, who came up against a really eye-catching individual at Sedgefield in October. He still has some learning to do but should be able to find a race before too long. Brave Rebellion has shown an aptitude for this game, assuming that he settles a bit better than he did a Wetherby, he can at least make the frame here. Nevertheless, Ball O Malt makes plenty of appeal as the most experienced runner in the field and, as he dropped a significant hint that his turn is near in his latest outing, he has a good opportunity to teach some of these a lesson this afternoon.
Ball O Malt (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Nathos (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gs.
Ballyhale (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders when mistake next, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 12, 22l behind Florida Dream (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Nov '04.
Bougoure (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, lost place 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 13, 27l behind Echo Point (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Brave Rebellion 20-1 (10-12) Held up, effort 4 out, weakened 3 out, 7th of 23, 33l behind Whispered Promises (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) gs.
Cragg Prince (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Prominent until jumped slowly and dropped rear 2nd, reminders 6th, tailed off from 3 out, 6th of 8, well behind See You There (11-0) at Carlisle 3m nh nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Delightful Cliche 12-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Be Be King (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gd.
Scotts Court 7-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, led 6f out, ridden over 2f out, soon headed, kept on approaching final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 11l behind Cloudy Lane (11-4) at Southwell 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in May.
Monsieur Delage 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Echo Point (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
