led, travelled well entering straight, length advantage when fell 2 out
chased leader in 2nd, ran freely early, mistake 5 out, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 3rd and mistake 2 out before left 2nd, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace
held up in 3rd, mistake 2nd, last from 6th, mistake and unseated rider 8th
held up in last, 3rd from 6th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on into 2nd 2 out and left in lead, clear before last, kept on well
BALLCASEY just ran out of steam when tackling the 3m1f RSA Chase at Cheltenham after travelling well for most of the way. That was only his third start over fences and he'd won the previous two in good style so can get back to winning ways. His stablemate Mozoltov looks a smart prospect with seven victories in 12 starts. His only defeats over fences have come in Grade 1 races so he's definitely capable of winning this. Bright New Dawn has a very similar profile to the latter and has already won at Grade 2 level over fences though he didn't jump particularly well at Naas last time. Rebel Fitz has been a wonderful servant to Mick Winters having won 15 of his 25 races for the yard. He reappeared with a facile victory over hurdles on ground much too soft and will be better suited by quick going than his rivals.
Ballycasey (IRE) 13-2fav (11-4) In touch, headway 15th, led narrowly after 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, 3rd and one pace last, no impression when lost 3rd flat, 4th of 15, 9l behind O'Faolains Boy (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Bright New Dawn (IRE) 8-11fav (11-10) Made all, slight mistake 3 out, pressed and narrow leader when left well clear 2 out, ridden from last, kept on, won at Naas 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Mar beating Letter Of Credit (11-5) by 8l, 5 ran.
Mozoltov 4-7fav (11-12) Disputed lead early, led from 3rd, travelling well 3 out, ridden and presses approaching last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Navan 2m 1f nov chs hvy in Mar beating Irish Thistle (11-6) by 2l, 8 ran.
Rebel Fitz (FR) 9-4 (11-12) Soon raced in 3rd, improved into 2nd 3 out, soon challenged, led after 2 out, clear approaching last where slight mistake, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Cork 2m 4f hdl hvy in Mar beating Tarla (11-5) by 10l, 6 ran.
