held up in touch, took keen hold, weakened before 2 out
led, mistake 3rd, slowed up on stable bend before 4th, headed 5th, led 7th, headed 3 out, no impression on winner flat
held up in rear, modest 9th 3 out, no chance
held up in mid-division, slow and lost place 2nd, well behind after 7th
jumped left, in rear, not much room 3rd, well behind 6th
held up in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, struggling 6th
always in rear, well behind after 7th
tracked leaders, took keen hold, hampered stable bend before 4th, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, ridden before 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 4th flat, nearest finish
in touch, not fluent 5th, held before 2 out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, not fluent 7th, closed before 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, slightly hampered stable bend after 3rd, challenged 3 out, led next, quickened clear flat, impressive
held up in mid-division, struggling after 7th
prominent, led 5th, headed 7th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, held in 3rd from last, one pace
always behind, tailed off 6th
Balmuick had few problems landing the odds in a Hexham bumper but has a Flat pedigree so it remains to be seen how he takes to jumping. EVERGLOW was pitched in at the deep end here on his hurdling debut and was never in contention. But that run will have taught him plenty and he can take advantage of this drop in grade ahead of Hereford third Thais Toir. Sam Barton and Royal Pretender are worth a market check along with the Nicholls’ newcomer Sonny Crockett, who is a half-brother to the useful Birchdale, and winning pointer Star Gate.
Balmuick (IRE) 4-6fav (11-0) Raced keenly, led early, prominent, led over 2f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Hexham 2m (5) gd in Sep beating Cochisee (11-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Everglow 25-1 (11-0) Held up last, struggling when mistake 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 36l behind Mcfabulous (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct.
Gastara 100-1 (10-12) Never better than mid-division, weakening when jumped right 3 out, 14th of 18, dist behind Sporting John (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Happy Larry (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Drpd rr 3; t.o & pu 14, at Larkhill 3m gd in Mar.
Iron Port (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Hdwy 14; 3rd when blun 4 out; wknd app 2 out, 3rd of 14, 27l behind Kings Cave (11-10) at Cothelstone 3m mdn in Mar.
Members Bounce (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Towards rear, pushed along 3 out, stayed on when hard-ridden closing stages, 6th of 12, 24 1/4l behind Benson (11-5) at Hereford 2m mdn (4) gf in Oct.
Merchant House (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along and struggling 3 out, hard-ridden when detached 2 out, no more, 8th of 10, dist behind Straw Fan Jack (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gf in Oct.
Mister Timmytucks 20-1 (10-12) Held up in 5th, headway into 2nd before 3 out until 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, dist behind Unwin Vc (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) hvy in Dec.
Royal Pretender (FR) 17-2 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, headway and plugged on final 2f, 6th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Lady Jane P (10-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (5) gd in Sep.
Sam Barton 9-2 (11-2) In touch, chased leaders over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Let Me Entertain U (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) hvy in Feb.
Sonny Crockett (IRE) Robin Des Champs gelding out of Onewayortheother.
Star Gate (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Pr, 3rd 1/2way, prog to close 2nd bef 2out, ld aftr 2out & asserted sn aftr, 5l adv bef last, ko flat, won at Belharbour 3m mdn Yielding in Feb beating Womalko (11-11) by 3l, 7 ran.
Thais Toir (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake when tempo raised 2 out, kept on when ridden but never dangerous, 3rd of 10, 13 3/4l behind Straw Fan Jack (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gf in Oct.
Tide Times (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 5th of 10, 24 3/4l behind Es Perfecto (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Well Finn (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Lost tch 12; pu nxt, at Thorpe Lodge 3m mdn gs in Jan.
