set steady pace, hit 4 out, increased pace next, joined soon after, ridden and headed narrowly at last, no extra towards finish
tracked leader until 3rd, tracked leaders, hit 4 out, chased leader next, soon joined leader, led narrowly at last, pushed along and asserted towards finish, readily
in touch, pushed along 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 3rd until pushed along 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace and just held on to 3rd
close up, ridden 3 out, stayed on flat to press for 3rd close home
always in rear, ridden 3 out, weakened next
BERTIE’S BALLET (NAP) looks as though he’ll be as good over hurdles as he was in bumpers judged on a debut second at Wetherby. The winner that day was just beaten in the Grade 1 Tolworth at Aintree on Boxing Day. Market Rasen and Aintree winner Norman Fletcher carries a double penalty, though his burden will be eased by James Turner’s 7lb claim. Points winner Jo Arengeot Bey AA was third in a bumper at Uttoxeter last month and should be winning under Rules sooner rather than later but Fresh Speculation looks held on the form book.
Norman Fletcher 11-4 (11-6) Close up, chased leader 4 out, led next, pushed along approaching last, ridden and ran on, won at Aintree 2m 1f (3) hvy in Dec beating Goonhilly (11-0) by 3 3/4l, 11 ran.
Bertie's Ballet 9-1 (11-0) Held up off the pace in 5th, headway into 3rd 2 out, went 2nd between last two, stayed on run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Favour And Fortune (11-5) at Wetherby 2m (2) hvy in Nov.
Fresh Speculation 28-1 (11-0) In rear, pushed along and some headway 3 out, plugged on, tailed off, 3rd of 11, dist behind Norman Fletcher (11-6) at Aintree 2m 1f (3) hvy in Dec.
Jo Arengeot Bey Aa (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, plugged on, took 3rd closing stages, no match for front duo, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Gamesters Guy (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) hvy in Nov.
Top Of The Bay (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, ridden and minor headway before 3 out, tailed off before last, 8th of 15, dist behind Go To War (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Orbys River (IRE) 250-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway into midfield before 3 out, soon ridden, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace approaching last, 6th of 10, 24 1/4l behind Classic Lord (11-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Kingofthegame (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear of mid-division, ridden along out wide after last (usual 3 out), weakened flat, 8th of 11, dist behind Inthewaterside (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (3) gs in Oct.
