tracked leaders on inside, pecked 2nd and lost 3rd, stumbled 7th, behind and struggling 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
tracked leaders in 3rd at 2nd, pushed along and outpaced in 5th turning in, rallied into 3rd again when awkward 3 out, no chance with leading duo
mistakes, mostly chased leader, jumped slowly 1st, mistake and lost 2nd 4 out, weakened next
held up in last pair, closer in 4th after 7th, went 2nd 4 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
waited with in rear, closer in 4th before 6th, not fluent 5 out, weakened next
jumped well and made all and set strong pace, clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
Billingsley has won off much higher marks in the past but is often let down by his jumping. Clondaw Bertie was only headed on the run-in last month at Fontwell but PRIME PRETENDER can finally get his head in front if this doesn’t come too soon after his second behind the in-form Bolsover Bill at Ffos Las on Thursday. Grizzly James could be the one to profit if the selection doesn’t fire on all cylinders as he wasn’t beaten far on his chasing bow at Ludlow, despite finishing last of four.
Clondaw Bertie (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Midfield, headway to chase clear leader 8th, ridden to lead 3 out, jumped badly left 2 out, challenged approaching last, jumped left and soon headed, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Rose Sea Has (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Billingsley (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, driven and headed next, ran on flat but lost second close home, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Feel The Pinch (11-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Sherborne (IRE) 7-2cfav (11-5) Mistakes, towards rear, blundered 10th, closed next, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Prime Pretender 11-2 (11-11) Towards rear, headway before 4 out, chased winner before 2 out, no impression, kept on, 2nd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Bolsover Bill (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Grizzly James (FR) 6-4fav (10-10) Held up in touch, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, weakened last, last of 4, 5l behind Tap Tap Boom (12-1) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Valirann Gold (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Detached in rear, not fluent 3rd, never dangerous, 6th of 13, dist behind Unit Sixtyfour (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
