always behind, beaten 4 out, pulled up after next
disputed lead until chased winner 3 out, rallied last, kept on under pressure
held up, slow 5th, soon detached, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
disputed lead until led 3 out, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway 5 out, went modest 4th 3 out, never a threat
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
held up, headway 5th, chased leaders next, effort 3 out, no extra last
chased leaders, slow 8th, weakened 3 out
Another race that won’t take much winning. Balgemmois will handle conditions but fell at the first on his chasing bow. Grania O'Malley has already won over fences, at Ffos Las in June, but she’s struggled since off higher marks. ESPION DE SAFLO (NAP) had been headed when falling at Plumpton but was in the process of running a good race against strong opposition and he should find this much easier. Billingsley was a fair hurdler so could also contend if his mishap at Bangor hasn’t dented confidence.
Espion De Saflo (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Led until before 4 out, fell next, at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Saint De Vassy (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Prominent, mistake 13th, weakening when mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Grania O'Malley (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Led 2nd, slow and headed 5th, led 9th, headed 2 out, mistake last, weakened, 3rd of 6, 25 1/2l behind Queen's Magic (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Billingsley (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Led 1st until 8th, weakened 4 out, remote 3rd when pecked and unseated rider 2 out, at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f (4) hvy in Nov.
Corri Lindo (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Held up behind, headway into 4th 2 out, driven to chase leaders between last 2, never on terms, well held in 3rd when fell last, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Big Nick 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out and no extra after next, eased in straight, 19th of 24, dist behind Musical Slave (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in May.
Arian (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Led until 1st, chased leaders, close up when mistake 4 out, weakened quickly next, tailed off, 6th of 12, dist behind Sweet Adare (11-12) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Balgemmois (FR) 11-2 (11-1) Fell 1st, at Warwick 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.