always close up, chased winner 3 out, 2 lengths 2nd and ridden when fell 2 out
made all, ridden clear approaching last, driven out flat
held up in touch, ridden when left 2 lengths 2nd 2 out, soon outpaced, rallied under pressure flat
chased winner to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
held up in touch, pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out
not jump well, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up and behind, headway after 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
not jump well, always behind, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up before last
Holly James takes a big step up in trip having won over 2m at Ffos Las though Ben Jones’ allowance negates most of a 7lb penalty. Blackjack Kentucky tired in the closing stages here on his reappearance but was placed over track and trip earlier in the year and can figure once again. JEPECK won easily over 2m7f at Bangor before failing to land the odds when runner-up at Southwell last time. But the winner looked a potentially smart newcomer and Anthony Honeyball’s charge gets another chance in this. Donnie Brasco was well beaten on his debut under Rules over a shorter trip here but this extra test of stamina should suit the point-to-point winner.
Holly James 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 4 out, led narrowly before next, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well towards finish, won at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Nov beating The Wire Flyer (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Jepeck (IRE) 10-11fav (11-9) Led until 3rd, chased winner, jumped right on final circuit, ridden and no chance with winner from 2 out, 2nd of 5, 11l behind The Mulcair (11-2) at Southwell 3m (4) hvy in Nov.
Blackjack Kentucky (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Made most, hard pressed 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 16, 8l behind The Big Breakaway (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Donnie Brasco (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, disputed lead 4 out, outpaced when went left next, soon lost place, no chance with clear pair from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 21l behind The Big Breakaway (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Oscar Asche (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Close up in 4th, ridden and left 3rd 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 24l behind Jepeck (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f (4) hvy in Nov.
Positive Touch (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, jumped right and slowly throughout, hampered 1st, left in 2nd next, lost touch after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, at Fakenham 3m (3) gd in Nov.
Second Captain (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Hdwy 3 out; nvr nr to chall, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Dr Kananga (11-10) at Upcott Cross 3m mdn gs in Apr.
Apple Bank 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders early, lost place after 5f, rallied 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 36 1/2l behind Pure Bliss (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (5) sft in Nov.
