chased leaders, lost place but still in touch 7th, outpaced 4 out, went 3rd flat
chased leader to 3rd, 2nd again after 5th until approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out
held up in rear, headway 2nd, chased leader next until after 5th, weakened after 2 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, weakened after 6th, tailed off
held up in rear, headway when hit 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
not always fluent, led to 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, blundered 2 out, soon went 2nd, no chance with winner flat
mid-division, headway after 5th, led 3 out, drew clear flat, ran on well
held up, not fluent 5th, headway after 8th, mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, mistake and rider lost irons 1st, irons back before next, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
The Begrudger will be high on any shortlist however he is likely to offer little in terms of value and a better bet may be BALLY SANDS ahead of Insider Dealer. The selection returns from an absence this afternoon, having last been seen in the Albert Bartlett race at the festival. He wasn't disgraced there in tenth place and he has plenty on his side this afternoon. He is proven in the mud, has won after a break between the flags and has run well here before. The Begrudger is a dual point-to-point winner and is another who should not mind the mud flying, Strategic Approach steps up in trip and has stamina to prove, whilst Quintero shaped with promise at Southwell last month and this longer trip and softer ground may see him improve further. Inside Dealer is another horse that shaped with promise on his hurdling debut, with Colin Tizzard's son of Presenting running well at Wincanton. His two bumper runs here have been full of promise so with no concerns over the undulating track he is not one to take lightly. At a price Sandofthecolloseum may improve on a Warwick sixth in a decent race, however it is Bally Sands who is preferred.
Bally Sands (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, losing touch 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 17, well behind Weapon's Amnesty (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Classic Diamond 100-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 13th of 16, well behind A French Horse (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Holmwood Legend 40-1 (10-7) Chased leader, led 4th, mistake 7th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 10, 35l behind Triggerman (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Inside Dealer (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Close up on inside, challenged and every chance 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 10, 15l behind Triggerman (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Joe Twist (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, struggling 8th, blundered next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Loom (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) hvy in Nov, 11 ran.
Norwest (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, under pressure approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 49l behind Persian Run (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Quintero (FR) 7-2fav (10-12) Mostly chased winner until before 2 out, weakened, lost moderate 3rd before last, 4th of 10, 9l behind Persian Gates (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Sandofthecolosseum (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 7th, struggling before 3 out, 6th of 16, 29l behind A French Horse (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Strategic Approach (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, chased leaders approaching 6th, ridden and mistake 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 8l behind My Friend Sandy (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
The Begrudger (IRE) 5-4 (12-0) 5th early, alw pr, mstk 4th, 3rd/4th from 7th till left in ld 3out, chall from 2out, asserted from last, row, won at Ballyragget 3m ire ptp in Mar beating Truckers Hall (12-0) by 5l, 10 ran.
Tallyho Tara 14-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off 3f out, 14th of 16, well behind Bringewood Belle (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Nov.
