tracked leaders, took keen hold, challenged 9th, led 4 out, jumped slightly right last 3, ridden flat, headed towards finish
led until after 6th, led 8th, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway when mistake 6th, ridden after 11th, weakened 3 out, took modest 3rd close home
held up towards rear, headway 10th, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish
pressed leader until 6th, reminders after 8th, last after next, pulled up before 10th
held up, headway after 9th, weakened 3 out
jumped right, promiment, led after 6th until 8th, weakened after 10th, pulled up before 4 out
Nonrunner
Lord Gunnerslake showed promise on debut for his new yard but there could be more to come from Brushford and BALLYMORN now that they've got their heads in front and marginal preference is for the latter. Lord Gunnerslake is well handicapped on the best of his form for his previous connections and travelled well up until the foot of the hill at Towcester on Thursday. He was found wanting on that stiff climb so should appreciate this easier track but it remains to be seen what that run took out of him. Brushford showed improved form to make a winning debut over fences last month with the first two pulling a long way clear of the third. He's been raised by 8lbs for that victory but it was only the sixth start of his career so he may well have more in the locker and he should go well. Wadswick Ben ran the best race of his career last time but he'll need to take another step forwards if he's to get the better of Ballymorn who opened his account from a Towcester specialist at the Northamptonshire track. He's been raised by 5lbs for that success which was the first sign of promise that he has shown since beating the smart Burton Port on his sole start in an Irish point. It seems unlikely that he's ever going to live up to the promise of that run but Ballymorn should be good enough to score from a mark of 87.
Silver Dollars (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Mistake 3rd, always in rear, tailed off 11th, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Think Lucky (11-10) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Aug, 14 ran.
Ballymorn (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, slightly hampered and reminders 6th, lost ground on leaders, driven 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, switched right flat, led towards finish, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan beating Devils River (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Wadswick Ben 8-1 (10-9) Hampered 1st, good recovery, chased leaders, mistake 3 out, effort when hampered next, weakened approaching last, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Mr Floppy (10-3) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Brushford (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, mistake 8th, not fluent 9th or 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, led before 2 out, edged right approaching last, stayed on flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan beating Wiesenfurst (10-4) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Count The Cost (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, mistake 8th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 3rd last, in a race won by Its A Classic (11-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Wishes Or Watches (IRE) 28-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, under pressure 10th, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 41l behind Ere Alfie (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
One Step Closer (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Prominent, chased leaders and under pressure 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Ban Uisce (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-85 (5) sft in Jan.
Lord Gunnerslake (IRE) 9-2 (9-11) Held up, headway 6th, not fluent 8th, led after 3 out, jumped right 2 out, jumped right and headed last, one pace, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind The Thirsty Bricky (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp ch 0-95 (5) sft.
