led to 11th, dropped rear 13th, soon ridden and outpaced
close up, led 11th, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, headway to chase leader 12th, led 2 out, ridden out
held up, went 3rd 13th, outpaced 15th
Galero, Bannister Lane and Vic The Piler are three against the field in a competitive opener and the vote is given to Galero. The selection unshipped his rider last time out but prior to that he had won well when beating Not A Trace. He again has conditions to suit and with his yard in form he looks the one to be on. Bannister Lane rates the main danger on his latest second behind Darinas Boy but he has yet to prove he stays this far and at likely odds he looks worth opposing. Vic The Piler looked a horse to follow in the earl part of last season but he did not progress as expected. However he could improve for the switch to fences and he should be watched in the market. Of the remainder Dolmour is another from a yard in form but was let down by his jumping last time and is opposed for that reason and for the winner we return to Galero.
Bannister Lane 14-1 (11-0) Prominent, jumped left 14th, soon ridden, outpaced 3 out, rallied last, one pace flat, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Darina's Boy (11-0) at Haydock 2m 6f nov chs (3) gs in Apr.
Dolmur (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Mid-division, lost place from 20th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Hot Weld (11-11) at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (2) gd in Mar, 22 ran.
Vic The Piler (IRE) 15-8fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway approaching 4th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 24l behind Jaunty Times (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
Lethem Present (IRE) 80-1 (10-4) Mid-division, lost place 4th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Character Building (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr, 13 ran.
Galero 7-2 (11-7) Disputed lead, blundered and unseated rider at the 10th in race won by Ryders Storm (11-7) at Perth 3m nov chs (2) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Rainha 40-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, tailed off from halfway, 5th of 9, well behind Pass Me By (11-2) at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) sft in Apr.
