Notanothernortherndonkey would be interesting on better ground, however we must take him on today and side with Ballyboley at a decent price, with Radcliffe and Gray's Eulogy just two others in with chances. The last-named doesn't know how to run a bad race, however he, like many of the runners, is tackling this trip for the first time so a lot must be taken on trust. If he stays he should be involved. As should Radcliffe who represents an in-form stable and has performed with credit when stepped up to a similar trip before. Levallois has disappointed when trying a marathon trip before, however any easing in the ground won't bother him so despite being out of the handicap, he makes the shortlist as well. However topping the shortlist is our selection Ballyboley. David Wintle's charge has looked a real stayer on all of his four starts, and whilst he lacks the experience of most of these, he looks an improver so must have very solid each-way claims. He makes his handicap debut today, and although it would be a fine effort to carry top-weight to victory over this marathon trip, we will put our faith in him at a decent price.
Ballyboley (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, pecked 10th, left poor 2nd 12th, 2nd of 5, 30l behind Fair Question (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Notanotherdonkey (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 3rd of 5, 33l behind Predestine (9-11) at Haydock 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Willie John Daly (IRE) 22-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 6th, reminders 11th, weakened 14th, 5th of 11, well behind Pass Me By (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Another Club Royal 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division, hampered and lost place 5th, reminders next, soon ridden and behind, 11th of 13, 30l behind Martha's Kinsman (11-6) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Windy Spirit (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 8th of 12, 50l behind Rockys Girl (9-7) at Taunton 3m amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Follow The Flow (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, reminders after 3rd, lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Another Conquest (10-7) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 8 ran.
Radcliffe (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Led to 2nd, in touch until lost place 6th, struggling in rear after, 8th of 11, well behind Black Collar (10-7) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Gray's Eulogy 11-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, hard ridden to chase leading trio 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 17l behind Jimmy Tennis (11-12) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Precious Bane (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led clear, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, headed 6th, regained lead 7th until before 8th, weakening when mistake 9th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Loulou Nivernais (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 9 ra.
Bdellium 16-1 (10-7) Towards rear, blundered 1st, headway 4th, weakened 5 out, 7th of 15, well behind Schuh Shine (11-7) at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Royal Niece (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Behind, headway 3 out, outpaced next, headway and mistake last, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Alderbrook Girl (10-4) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Dads Lad (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Mistake 1st, prominent until driven along and lost place 12th, rallied approaching 2 out, staying on when ran out at the last in race won by Strolling Vagabond (10-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Levallois (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced halfway, headway 4 out, stayed on well from last, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Casalani (11-1) at Southwell 3m hcp chs (5) sft in Jan.
Major Blue 10-1 (10-0) With leader, led 3rd, headed and hit 8th, blundered and weakened 10th, tailed off, 4th of 7, 33l behind Star Angler (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan.
