held up in 5th place, closer in 3rd at 9th, in lead before 4 out, in 2nd place run-in
chased leaders, behind and struggling 9th, soon pulled up
chased leaders in 3rd, lost place at 11th, in 2nd place before 4 out, in lead run-in (limited comments due to very poor visibility)
held up last, pushed along and closer challenging for 3rd before 4 out, well held 3rd run-in
led, headed before 4 out, 4th and beaten run-in
chased leader, pushed along at 11th, behind and struggling before next, tailed off
Ballinslea Bridge could figure in this if a run around Sandown has blown away a few cobwebs. Acaro is better than he showed at Wincanton last month but Broughtons Rhythm is now 0-11 over fences and continues to disappoint. TRIPLE CHIEF pops up now and again in races like this and is the only course winner in the line-up. He gets the nod receiving 8lb from the less-exposed Tea Time On Mars.
Ballinslea Bridge (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always in rear, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Dashing Perk (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Acaro (FR) 7-2cfav (12-1) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 10, 31 1/2l behind Kilbrew Boy (12-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Tea Time On Mars 11-4 (11-0) Chased winner until pecked 8th, 2nd again before 11th until next, chased leading pair, not fluent 14th, outpaced 4 out, 3rd of 4, 13 1/4l behind Christmas In April (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Broughtons Rhythm 12-1 (11-12) In touch in rear, headway 5 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Elite Garde (11-11) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Triple Chief (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Led, clear before 8th until after 11th, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 9, 5 3/4l behind Primal Focus (11-7) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
The Mighty Ash (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Off the pace in 4th place, jumped slowly 4th, weakened 10th, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Flaminger (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.