with leader, led 3rd until 4th, led after 10th, headed 11th, led again after 12th, clear approaching 2 out, edged right flat, eased close home
always last, mistake 9th, ridden after next, well beaten 13th, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden 15th, no impression on winner before 2 out, 3rd and stayed on same pace after
led until 3rd, led next, mistake 10th, soon headed, led 11th, headed after 12th, hit 3 out, no impression on winner before 2 out, stayed on same pace, hanging right flat
close 3rd, challenged 9th, blundered 15th, ridden 3 out, no impression on winner, 4th and well beaten from next
Little Chip's jumping let him down at Stratford when pulled up after several mistakes. He'd won at Leicester earlier while Balbriggan has been well beaten off higher marks since scoring at the same track in December. Dashing George has lost his form of late having won in heavy going at Fakenham earlier this year and Flaming Gorge also arrives badly out of sorts. By contrast, BALZACCIO can be forgiven a below-par effort in much better company at Newbury last month and rates the selection on his earlier second to Galway Jack in this grade at Southwell.
Flaming Gorge (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, hampered 3rd, plugged on from 4 out, went poor 4th 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 9, 25l behind Stonethrower (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Little Chip (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Held up behind in touch, struggling 13th, lost touch and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Benbens (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Dashing George (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) In touch, led 3rd to 7th, in touch, led again 9th, headed 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 9, 34l behind Benbens (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Balbriggan (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Towards rear, mistake 4th, outpaced 10th, headway before 4 out, ridden and mistake 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 24l behind Hector's Choice (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Balzaccio (FR) 11-2 (10-1) Chased leaders, blundered 10th, weakened 3 out, went right next, 5th of 8, 29l behind Pepite Rose (11-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Mar.