towards rear before taking closer order with circuit to travel, driven in fourth approaching 3 out, went third next, stayed on same pace
led, headed 5 out but back in front after next, ridden and headed after jumping 2 out, kept on but no match for winner
pecked 1st, disputed third, still close up when mistake 10th, lost ground when mistake next, driven to get back in touch 4 out but weakened and pulled up before 2 out
settled towards rear, took closer order 9th, smooth headway into third 4 out, went second after next, led after 2 out, clear when slight mistake last, pushed out
settled in share of third, reminder after 7th and dropped to rear after 9th, pushed along but little response and pulled up before 12th
in rear early, good headway after 9th, led after 5 out but just headed when bad mistake 3 out, soon weakened
sat outside leader, slight mistake 7th, disputing second when mistake 6 out, began to lose ground 4 out and pulled up before 2 out
Mr Palmtree completed a double when scoring here last month but went up 12lb and was unable to cope at Ludlow. He'd finished a two-length runner-up to BRIGADIER BOB here last November but was receiving 21lb and has to concede 2lb here. Kerry Lee's charge goes well fresh and can make a successful reappearance. Sandy Boy was conceding 2lb when beaten a couple of lengths by Innisfree Lad over hurdles at Huntingdon in October and there's nothing between them over fences. Elan De Balme won twice in minor company in France and looked ready to score again soon when runner-up over the course and distance last month.
Sandy Boy (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, went 2nd next, ridden to challenge 100 yards out, not go through with effort, 2nd of 11, nk behind Favori De Sivola (10-3) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Billy Bronco 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders out wide, lost place 10th, rallied chasing leaders again before 14th, soon pushed along and losing place when blundered 16th, 7th of 9, 26 1/2l behind Accordingtogino (11-10) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Jabulani (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Chased leader until before 6th, where mistake, chased leaders, pushed along in 3rd and held when hit 3 out, mistake next, soon ridden, stayed on well run-in, not reach winner, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Reve (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Innisfree Lad (IRE) Evensfav (12-5) Mid-division, briefly nudged along 4 out, headway to join leaders 3 out, kept on after last, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind The Black Squirrel (11-4) at Newcastle 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Perform (IRE) 66-1 (11-11) In touch, mistake 10th, soon lost place, tailed off 13th, pulled up before 2 out, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Mr Palmtree (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-12) Held up towards rear, switched wide and headway approaching 4 out, ridden along in 4th 2 out, no extra closing stages, 4th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Volcano (11-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Brigadier Bob (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, blundered 10th, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 13, 10 1/2l behind Thomas Shelby (11-10) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Elan De Balme (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Led until 3rd, chased leader until after 6th, chased leaders, went 2nd again run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 5 1/2l behind Cuban Pete (11-10) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
