chased leaders, hit 7th, pushed along after 5 out, weakened 4 out
led, shaken up after 3 out, 1 length ahead when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, headway into 4th 4 out, stayed on, never threatened
rear mid-division, headway to be prominent 9th, hit 11th, ridden after 2 out, left in 2nd 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, pushed along after 5 out, ridden and left in 3rd 2 out, stayed on, no chance with winner
in rear, well held when hit 3 out, never involved
held up in rear, headway into 4th after 5 out, pressed leader 3 out, pushed along and 1 length down when left in clear lead 2 out, good jump last and came home unchallenged
prominent, lost position 5 out, soon struggling
None of these inspire confidence though BALLINSKER is back over his winning trip and gets a token vote. Smuggler's Blues won over a longer trip at Wincanton early in the year while several make their chasing debuts. How's The Cricket was disqualified after passing the post first over hurdles at Newton Abbot while Eaton Collina is 7lb higher than when scoring over timber at Hereford in February.
Vinnie The Hoddie (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Held up behind leader, ridden after 8th and lost ground, dropped to 4th before home turn, demoted to last 2 out, well beaten, last of 5, dist behind Bathiva (11-8) at Worcester 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Ballinsker (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Led until 3 out, weakened 2 out, last of 4, 16 1/2l behind Wasdell Dundalk (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Eaton Collina (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-9) Chased leaders, edged left and unseated rider 3rd, at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Smuggler's Blues (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Left in 2nd 1st, lost 2nd after 3rd, not fluent 8th, outpaced when not fluent 12th, tried to close before 3 out, no impression, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 18 1/2l behind Railway Muice (11-6) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Investment Manager 3-1 (11-0) Held up in 4th place, closer in 3rd before 3rd until before next, outpaced in rear when mistake 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Runasimi River 6-1 (12-2) Held up towards rear, bad mistake 6th, driven along 5 out, weakened 2 out, last of 6, 19 1/2l behind Ho Que Oui (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
How's The Cricket (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Towards rear, slightly closer after the 7th, further headway and going well 3 out, tracked leaders 2 out, pressed leader approaching last, every chance when not fluent last, kept on gamely run-in and led on the line, won at Taunton 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec beating Motts Cross (11-3) by nk, 11 ran.
Abaya Du Mathan (FR) 12-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, pushed along and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 18 1/4l behind Ozzie Man (12-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
