tracked leader, outpaced in 3rd after 2 out (usual 3 out), soon no impression
behind, headway 3 out (usual 4 out), chased leaders next, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd closing stages, not reach winner
led, headed approaching 2 out (usual 3 out), soon weakened, tailed off
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out (usual 3 out), soon hard pressed, ridden and stayed on well final 150 yards
chased leaders on outside, lost place 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out (usual 3 out)
always behind, tailed off after 3 out (usual 4 out)
mid-division, weakened after 3 out (usual 4 out), tailed off
mid-division, headway 3 out (usual 4 out), pressed winner next, kept on and every chance last (usual 2 out), no extra final 150 yards, lost 2nd closing stages
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out (usual 3 out)
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out (usual 4 out)
Redmond, twice a winner between the flags, is very interesting on his debut under Rules. Ballyoptic has also won a point-to-point but it was a strange decision to send him to Down Royal for a bumper on Boxing Day and the gamble wasn't rewarded - he's probably capable of better, however. Potters Corner won a maiden at Chepstow in September but was then beaten at Wetherby when odds-on a month later and hasn't been seen since. Rebecca Curtis could enjoy a successful afternoon and runs two in this with Apache Outlaw having more scope than PRESELI ROCK. But the latter should reverse form over 2m here in December with Never Equalled on 6lb better terms so gets the nod.
Never Equalled (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led, jumped right at times, clear 5th until 2 out, driven and headed last, carried right flat, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Millanisi Boy (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Potters Corner (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Led, pressed and blundered 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Mustmeetalady (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Apache Outlaw (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Led, pulled hard early, hard driven when challenged over 3f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Matchaway (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f (5) sft in Dec.
Ballyoptic (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, ridden into moderate 8th 4f out, no impression and kept on one pace straight, 5th of 16, dist behind Avellino (11-4) at Down Royal 2m hvy in Dec.
Crowd Control (IRE) 200-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, led until 3 out, one pace, 5th of 13, 9l behind Battle Of Shiloh (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Jaunty Thor 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, dist behind Will O'the West (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Looksnowtlikebrian (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, lost touch after 4th, continued tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Pougne Bobbi (11-3) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Preseli Rock (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked winner from 2nd until 3 out, edged left approaching last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 8 1/4l behind Champers On Ice (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (3) hvy in Jan.
Redmond (IRE) 3-1 (12-1) Tr ldrs, wo 1/2way, mstk 4out, 2l adv apr 2out, 3l adv apr str, in command with 5l ld last, easily., won at Lingstown 3m gs in Nov beating Bobbythegangster (11-10) by 6l, 12 ran.
Days Like These 12-1 (11-0) Lost plce 8; t.o & pu last, at Brampton Bryan 3m mdn gs in Mar.
Robert's Star (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, weakened before 4 out, 9th of 15, 20 1/2l behind Tapaculo (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
