in rear, ridden 2 out, in 5th before last, no impression
held up towards rear, pushed along before 11th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, led 3 out, soon pressed, kept on and headed close home
led from 1st, headed before 13th, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, blundered 11th, pushed along and weakened before 4 out
held up in touch, pushed along before 11th, weakened before 4 out
led to 1st, tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led 13th, headed 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
towards rear, mistake 9th, blundered 11th, headway before 4 out, challenged last, kept on to lead close home
Ballybolley finished nine lengths ahead of Virgilio when third over 2m4f at Aintree but still has plenty to prove over this longer trip. Vibrato Valtat is thrown in on his best form but is another for whom stamina could be an issue and his yard remains out of sorts. Kilcrea Vale is yet another who may struggle to last home and SEGO SUCCESS can be tough to pass if he’s allowed an easy lead. Alan King’s charge has won off a higher mark over this track and trip and ran well enough on his reappearance at Warwick. What Happens Now won at Cheltenham in October but looked in the handicapper’s grip on a return visit.
Ballybolley (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 4th, led 12th, headed 3 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 12, 9l behind On Tour (10-11) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Virgilio (FR) 11-4fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, closed on inside from 5th, no impression 2 out, weakened before last, 8th of 12, 18l behind On Tour (10-11) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair, headway before 2 out, went modest 4th between last 2, 4th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Oldgrangewood (11-5) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Kilcrea Vale (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Led, jumped left 1st and next, headed 9th, chased leader, hit 4 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 18 1/4l behind Fortunate George (10-5) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Sego Success (IRE) 4-1 (12-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner from last, every chance run-in, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Beggars Cross (10-13) at Warwick 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Solstice Son 20-1 (11-11) Led 2nd, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up approaching last, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Killala Quay 14-1 (11-12) Led until 5th, chased leader until before 13th, chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Jennys Surprise (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
What Happens Now (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Prominent, ridden and outpaced by front pair after 3 out, stayed on to dispute 2nd last, kept on same pace flat, 7th of 15, 4 3/4l behind What A Moment (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Mustmeetalady (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) In rear when unseated rider 1st, at Sandown 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
