chased leaders, lost place 9th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, hit 5th, blundered 8th, soon lost place, weakened 10th, no danger after
behind, lost touch 7th, pulled up before next
in touch, challenged approaching 3 out, driven and outpaced between last 2, lost 2nd last, soon weakened
chased leaders, reminders 6th, stayed on to lead between last 2, soon clear, comfortably
led to 3rd, tracked leader, effort 4 out, outpaced next, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
in touch, led 3rd, ridden and headed between last 2, soon weakened
Not the greatest of quality on show here but BALLYNURE could be dangerously well handicapped and should have the beating of both Neidpath Castle and Mr Twins. The pick was once rated in the mid 90s and although there are reasons that the 11-year-old is now down in the high 70s he is racing off a mark 18lbs lower than last time he won. That success came over course and distance and with a decent strike rate over this trip and with his yard in good form he looks set to score again. Neidpath Castle finished a place ahead of the pick last time out but there is a massive weight pull towards his rival so that form should be overturned but Neidpath Castle should be very competitive off this rating. Mr Twins is in the same boat having finished in front of Ballynure on their last meeting but again the terms have swung to suggest that form should be overturned. Mistral De La Cour should be in the mix but looks too high in the handicap to score and Ballynure looks best on these terms.
Flaming Heck 18-1 (10-3) Led, headed 5th, close up until weakened 9th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Teenando (10-1) at Carlisle 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Mr Twins (ARG) 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders and keen, pushed along 10th, outpaced 5 out, mistake next, no impression, 6th of 13, 26l behind Snowy (11-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Ballynure (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Led, driven and headed 4 out, 2nd and under pressure when blundered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Red Scally (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) sft, 6 ran.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 12-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, weakened from 3 out, blundered last, 5th of 12, 38l behind Smart Thinker (11-1) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
Neidpath Castle 7-2 (10-6) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced 5 out, left 10 lengths for 3 out, kept on from next, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Red Scally (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) sft.
Tully Hill 150-1 (11-0) Behind from 5th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind High Bird Humphrey (10-11) at Catterick 2m mdn chs (4) gd.
Bullies Acre (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Mid-division, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Thatlldoforme (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
