waited with in 4th, travelling well approaching 2 out, switched left flat quickened to lead entering final furlong, pushed clear, easily
led, blundered 9th, soon headed, chased leader after 11th, every chance when not fluent last, headed flat, soon dropped to 3rd, rallied to 2nd final 100 yards, not pace of winner
tracked leading pair, blundered 8th, went 2nd when blundered 11th, soon dropped to 3rd, stayed on to lead flat, headed and outpaced entering final furlong, weakened towards finish
chased leader until approaching 8th, chased leaders, led narrowly 10th, joined last, headed flat, stayed on same pace
jumped right at times, always last, blundered 2nd, outpaced 9th, never on terms after, tailed off
Ballabriggs is the best chaser in this conditions event as official BHA figures confirm. Saying that, last year's Grand National hero is having his first start since Aintree and managed to get beat when odds-on in this race last March. ACCORDING TO PETE could prove too good this time around as he arrives in flying form having landed the Peter Marsh at Haydock in fine style on his latest start. He makes more appeal than the talented-but-inconsistent Master Of The Hall, who was an impressive winner at Aintree in December but has failed to complete either side of that victory. Abbeybraney and Waterski look to be making up the numbers in this company.
Master Of The Hall (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Towards rear, headway before 12th, chased leading trio next, slow and lost place 15th, never on terms after, poor 8th when refused last, in a race won by Hold On Julio (10-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
According To Pete 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led before 11th, made rest, ridden after 2 out, 4 lengths clear last, kept on under pressure flat, won at Haydock 3m hcp chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Pearlysteps (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
BallaBriggs (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch, led 3rd to next, remained prominent, led again 15th (chair), blundered and headed 23rd (valentine's), led again 3 out, ridden and pressed elbow, stayed on well flat, clear when edged right towards finish, won at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr beating Oscar Time (10-9) by 2 1/4l, 40 ran.
Abbeybraney (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 12th, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Mister Marker (11-5) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Waterski 9-2 (9-7) Mid-division, blundered 1st, soon lost place and towards rear, in rear from 5th, soon struggling, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Super Ally (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
