held up in rear, reminders 6th, headway 10th, chased winner 4 out, kept on one pace and went clear 2nd flat
in touch, not fluent 9th and dropped to rear, mistake next, soon pulled up
keen tracked leaders, ridden 12th, weakened 3 out
close up, ridden and dropped to rear 12th, weakened next
led, ridden and headed 11th, weakened 4 out, pulled up next
in rear, headway 12th, chased winner next, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
keen tracked leader, led 11th, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on
Nonrunner
Investment Affair was biting off more than he could chew at Sandown last time and is back at his favourite venue here. But so is ROC DE GUYE, who is probably in better form and back on the same mark as when successful over 2m1f here in November. He gets the vote though Iheardu is also back on a winning mark and can improve on recent efforts, but the sharp track and better ground may count against Ballyoliver while this is a stronger contest than the one Emperor Charlie won at Newcastle 10 days ago. Springfield Raki won over 3m1f here in December but has been found out in similar company since.
Ballyoliver 4-1fav (11-12) Close up, led 3rd, headed 6th, led again 7th, headed before 5 out, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 7th of 11, 50l behind Massini Sunset (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Iheardu (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leading trio, outpaced before 3 out, no chance after, tailed off, 4th of 5, 41l behind Gentle Bob (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Investment Affair (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, stumbled and lost place 12th, in rear when blundered 18th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Masked Man (11-7) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Springfield Raki 15-2 (10-5) In touch, headway to chase leaders before 13th, ridden and every chance before 3 out, switched left before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 22l behind Emperor Concerto (11-8) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Festival Dreams 10-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, went 4th before last, no impression, 4th of 8, 18l behind Oscarslad (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
Roc De Guye (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, hit 8th, steady headway from 10th, went 3rd 3 out, ridden after 2 out, pressed for 2nd after last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Kap West (10-3) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Farewellatmidnight 9-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 4 out until ridden before and blundered last, no extra, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Melua Maid (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf.
Emperor Charlie 10-3 (10-2) Held up in 5th, close up on outside after 7th, went 2nd after 4 out, led next, drew clear from 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m 4f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Shoal Bay Dreamer (10-5) by 19l, 6 ran.
