prominent, lost place 6th, not fluent and behind 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in 4th, closed after 4th, jumped right 8th, struggling from next, behind after 4 out
prominent, mistake 5th, ridden to challenge when not fluent 3 out, soon led, clear after 2 out, eased towards finish
held up in rear, went 3rd when not fluent 9th, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner
led, not fluent 8th, joined 3 out, soon headed, lost 2nd and weakened before last
Shaw's Cross had Hector Jaguen back in third when successful on good ground at Plumpton back in January. Neither have figured since while Blacko also won on faster going at Leicester earlier when landing a beginners’ chase but was well beaten back in a handicap subsequently. BALLINGERS CORNER ran fresh at Ludlow on his first outing since 2021 and debuts for a new yard. He should settle better today and may prove the one to side with.
Ballingers Corner (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Took keen hold, jumped right at times, led, mistake 8th, blundered badly 12th, headed next, weakened before 4 out, last of 7, 35 1/4l behind La Renommee (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Blacko (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Led, joined 3rd, headed and tracked leader 4 out, weakened quickly before next, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Le Ligerien (12-0) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Hector Jaguen (FR) 9-4 (11-10) Led narrowly, headed before 4th, mistake and unseated rider 8th, at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Shaw's Cross (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) In rear, not fluent 2nd, 4th when mistake 4 out, well beaten 3 out, 4th of 6, 35 1/4l behind Upagainstit (12-2) at Warwick 2m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Ben Brody (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Chased leader who went clear briefly after 4th, closer next, slight peck 5 out, lost 2nd and ridden next, hung left and weakened before 3 out, 4th of 7, 19 1/4l behind Templier (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
