raced in mid-division, made smooth headway to join leaders at 3 out, ridden and came to lead at 2 out, went clear after final hurdle, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced at 3 out, kept on at 2 out, weakened after final hurdle
raced in mid-division, ridden and outpaced at 3 out, kept on at 2 out, weakened after last hurdle
prominent, ridden and kept on at 3 out, rallied and every chance at 2 out, held after final hurdle
raced in mid-division, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, kept on at 2 out, made no impression
held up, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, pulled up
held up, ridden and under pressure before 3 out, made no impression
held up, ridden and struggling before 3 out, never a factor
prominent, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, weakened
held up, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden and made headway at 3 out, kept on at 2 out, outpaced after final hurdle, not reach leaders
held up, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, tailed off
BALLYBLACK (NAP), a winner between the flags in Ireland, ran a race full of promise behind the smart Brave Kingdom at Taunton on his debut under Rules and has nothing to fear from Last Royal on that effort. Chavez also looked as though he’d soon be going one better when second to Nothin To Ask at Chepstow but Last Quarter needs forgiving a poor run at Leicester. Thelasthighking certainly isn’t out of this while jockey bookings suggest Wrong Shape Ball will be the pick of Nicky Martin’s two runners.
Ballyblack (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Off the pace towards rear, headway chasing leaders 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, 2 lengths down last, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Brave Kingdom (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Chavez (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Disputed lead, raced keenly, led 3 out, pressed before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, headed before last, kept on, always held, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Nothin To Ask (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Last Quarter (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Raced wide, chased winner, jumped big 1st, reminder after 5th, lost 2nd 7th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 37 1/2l behind Jetoile (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Last Royal 11-4 (10-12) Chased leaders early, dropped to mid-division 3rd, rallied chasing leaders 6th, 2nd briefly before 2 out, chased leading pair until the last, weakened run-in, 5th of 14, 22 1/2l behind Brave Kingdom (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Lucky So And So (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 36 3/4l behind Bolton (10-3) at Wetherby 2m (5) hvy in Jan.
Off My Rocco (IRE) 150-1 (11-8) Held up off the pace in last trio, never a factor, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Everything'sontick (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Petitealfie Rocamadour gelding out of Rush House.
Saffron Tiger 66-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 12th of 18, dist behind Shallow River (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) sft in Dec.
School For Scandal (FR) 20-1 (12-0) A.p; went 2nd aft 14; one pce 3 out, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Escapeandevade (12-0) at Wadebridge 3m mdn gs in Dec.
Smartmandarcy (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Close-up, ridden and weakened before 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, dist behind Hurling Magic (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in May.
Thelasthighking (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Prominent, could not go pace of leader 2 out, kept on well from last, promising, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Hecouldbetheone (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) sft in Dec.
Vinnie's Icon (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Off the pace and always towards rear, 7th of 15, 18 3/4l behind Amelia's Dance (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Wrong Shape Ball (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) In rear, not fluent 1st, headway to chase leaders after 2nd, lost place 7th, well beaten from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
