mid-division, headway 9th, outpaced 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed flat, rallied towards finish just out
mid-division, headway 9th, effort 3 out, ridden and no impression when hit last
held up, headway and in touch 10th, effort when not much room and switched right before last, ridden to lead flat, held on towards finish
in touch, outpaced 2 out, no impression when hit last
in touch, blundered 2nd, outpaced 8th, rallied 4 out, weakened next
soon towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leader, led 9th to 4 out, weakened next
held up, outpaced 9th, no danger after
raced keenly, led, headed 9th, led again 4 out to next, one pace approaching last
mid-division, outpaced halfway, never dangerous
BALLYNURE may be able to bounce back to form and get the better of Royal Hilarity and Nicozetto amongst others. This race is named after a former winner of this race and stablemate of the selection who actually landed this prize last year. That was Ballynure's last success and there was little encouragement to be gleaned from his latest performance but he is on an attractive mark and it may be worth taking the chance that he can bounce back to form. Nicozetto did just that on debut for a new yard at Sedgefield but is now 10lbs higher and deserted by Graham Lee who, this time around, partners one for his main supplier. Nouveau Maire has had two runs in Hunter Chases since arriving from France and it will be interesting to see what the market makes of his chances. Royal Hilarity has travelled a long way to contest this prize and this hardy individual won't be easy to pass but it's Ballynure that gets the call.
Moor Spirit 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden after 5 out and soon beaten, 8th of 10, well behind Watch My Back (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Pamak D'airy (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Held up, effort 3 out, driven, no impression from next, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Cash Man (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 5f beg chase (4) gs in Mar.
Royal Hilarity (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up, chased leaders 6th, led 3 out, stayed on from last, held on well, won at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Mar beating Mongorno (11-12) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Nouveau Maire (FR) 9-4fav (11-11) In touch, headway 10th, led before 3 out, ridden after next, headed last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Belem Ranger (11-13) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hts chs (6) gf in Mar.
Pass The Class (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) In rear, headway 5 out, driven and weakened 3 out, 5th of 11, 31l behind Open de L'Isle (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway 13th and in touch, ridden 4 out, weakening when mistake next, 9th of 12, well behind Darina's Boy (10-5) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Naval Attache 7-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 4 out, chased winner flat, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Lawaaheb (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf.
Nicozetto (FR) 13-2 (10-5) Raced keenly in touch, led after 5th, made rest, drew clear from 2 out, pushed out, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Mar beating I'm Your Man (11-2) by 9l, 13 ran.
Hutch 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, gradually weakened, 4th of 7, 5l behind Super Baby (11-3) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, soon close up, ridden 4 out, jumped left last, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 15l behind General Hardi (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Mar.
Ballynure (IRE) 7-4fav (10-6) Behind, lost touch 7th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Neidpath Castle (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar, 5 ran.
Justwhateverulike (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Held up, ridden 3 out, no impression until stayed on flat, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Professor Higgins (10-8) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
