tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, 2nd 3 out until before 2 out, kept on same pace last, no extra flat
jumped right 1st, soon led, jumped right 7th, headed 8th, led before 3 out, headed last, given chance final 100 yards when winner idled, held close home
led, jumped right and not fluent 1st, soon headed, led 8th, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
held up, mistake 3rd and 11th, headway 12th, one pace before 2 out, jumped left and mistake last, no extra
held up, not fluent 8th, headway 10th, slow 13th, not fluent 3 out, went 2nd before next, led last, went a few lengths clear but soon began to idle, pressed inside final 100 yards, edged right and holding rival close home
WILLOUGHBY COURT and Yanworth renew hostilities having clashed in a Grade 2 at Newbury a month ago. Ben Pauling’s charge came out on top but Alan King’s novice is 5lb better off for three lengths, though doesn’t look a natural chaser like his old rival, who can defy his penalty. Ballyandy is also an exciting novice but hasn’t raced since making a winning start over fences at Perth in September. Ami Desbois is two from two over fences but this is a huge step up while it took Sizing Tennessee eight attempts to win a race over the larger obstacles and that was over much further.
Willoughby Court (IRE) 15-8 (11-1) Jumped well, chased leader, led 8th, made rest, pushed along before 4 out, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec beating Yanworth (11-1) by 3l, 5 ran.
Sizing Tennessee (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Led until after 12th, not fluent 13th (water), led again 14th, hit 15th, headed 4 out, led going best after 3 out, driven flat, stayed on, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) sft in Dec beating Duel At Dawn (11-6) by 6l, 4 ran.
Ami Desbois (FR) 2-11fav (11-6) Tended to jump right, made all from sole rival, ridden after 2 out, hit last, kept on, always in command flat, won at Wetherby 2m 3f (3) sft in Dec beating A Vos Gardes (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 2 ran.
Ballyandy 8-13fav (11-2) Tracked leader, challenged after 4 out, led next, driven and hard pressed from 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on well towards finish, won at Perth 2m 4f (3) hvy in Sep beating Fagan (11-8) by 1l, 4 ran.
Yanworth 5-6fav (11-1) Tracked leading pair until 5th, pushed along and outpaced as pace lifted before 4 out, blundered 4 out, rallied into 3rd 2 out, went 2nd and hung left run-in, never able to challenge, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Willoughby Court (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
