held up in rear, not fluent 3rd or 6th, went 4th from 10th, blundered 11th, ridden and headway before 2 out, led when blundered and unseated rider last
tracked leader, pushed along after 7th, jumped slowly and struggling from 9th, jumped left and weakened 4 out, pulled up after 3 out
led until 1st, led 3rd, headed after 5th, led again next, not fluent 11th or 2 out, headed when left in lead last, stayed on
led 1st until 3rd, prominent, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, left with every chance last, no impression towards finish
prominent, led after 5th, headed next, hit 11th and 3 out, 3rd and beaten after last, stayed on same pace
This is the most interesting race on the card, despite the small field. The going should suit Buckhorn Timothy but he still has a little to learn about jumping fences, as does Ballybolley. L'unique and Ubak are closely matched on Newbury running. The former has been highly tried so far but the latter will have improved more for the run and is 4lb better off today. THREE FACES WEST tackles fences under Rules for the first time but beat a decent sort in a point-to-point at Largy in 2013 and was useful over hurdles. His latest third at Haydock suggests he's high enough in the weights over the smaller obstacles now but the switch to chasing should bring about more success.
Ubak (FR) 33-1 (11-1) Held up in rear on outside, took keen hold, mistake 3rd, headway 9th, led 5 out, headed before mistake next, 3rd and beaten when hit 3 out, no extra next, 4th of 7, 17 1/2l behind Three Musketeers (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
L'unique (FR) 25-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden 4 out, effort next, no impression after, 4th of 7, 17 3/4l behind Tea For Two (11-7) at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Buckhorn Timothy 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, close up after, mistake and fell 11th, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Three Faces West (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Led, hit 3rd, quickened 3 out, strongly challenged next, headed just after last, no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 6 3/4l behind Montdragon (11-10) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Ballybolley (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Led until 4th, chased leader until approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 9, 18 3/4l behind Hollywoodien (10-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
