held up, fell 5th
in touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on, driven out
held up, badly hampered 6th, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, one pace from 2 out
held up, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace
held up mid-division, pushed along from 4th, struggling from next
chased leaders, no impression from 2 out
held up in rear, jumped right throughout, struggling after 6th
chased leaders, pushed along to lead 2 out, headed approaching next, kept on
held up, blundered 4 out, soon weakened
led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
A moderate race where winning form is in distinctly short supply and for the most likely protagonist today we side with BALLYMACDUFF although cogent cases can be made for Ocarina and Solway Ally. The selection is still a maiden after six starts but he showed an aptitude for this circuit when finishing second in a bumper and having perhaps been held a little too far off the pace in better company, we are hopeful that a much more tactically astute ride will work the oracle. Ocarina has dropped down the weights following a couple of below par efforts. Graham Lee replaces a conditional rider in the plate. Solway Ally was a little disappointing on handicap introduction. Prior to that effort, she had finished not too far behind the smart Meridian City in a novices event at Aintree. Norminster's chasing career is curtailed after a series of blunders and this switch to hurdling appeared long overdue. Berwick Law was considered a smart prospect when trained by Lenny Lungo. Training troubles have contributed to a sizeable absence from the track. Tully Cross is a rare runner under the National Hunt code for Mick Quinn. Formerly trained by Jimmy Lambe, a perusal at his form shows a victory over an extended three miles at Hexham and were he able to return to that level of performance, he would have to be a player of sorts. Dark Gentleman has no issues in relation to the going though his recent run at Aintree suggests that a watching brief might be the preferred option today. Not the strongest of races to round off proceedings and to the most minimal stakes levels, Ballymacduff is offered up as the winner.
Ballymacduff (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, ridden 3 out, never near leaders, 5th of 11, 17l behind I Hear A Symphony (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Berwick Law (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Held up, weakened from 8th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Millie The Filly (9-7) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar '08, 7 ran.
Dark Gentleman 14-1 (10-9) Held up, good headway to lead approaching 3rd, headed 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Natural Action (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Saujana 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, ridden 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 11l behind Bishops Heir (10-7) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Norminster 12-1 (11-1) Midd-division, hampered 5th, headway 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 11, 27l behind Carrietau (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Ocarina (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up and keen, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 6th of 10, well behind Do It For Dalkey (10-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Nov.
Dallas Bell 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Simple Glory (10-12) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in May, 12 ran.
Solway Ally 8-1 (9-12) With leaders, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 11, 27l behind Natural Action (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Maolisa (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Not fluent 1st, always behind, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Carrietau (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Ballysimon (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Doris's Gift (11-2) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May, 13 ran.
Tully Cross (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Prominent, hit 2nd, jumped slowly and reminders 8th, weakened 3 out, 12th of 17, 47l behind Orchard King (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Aug.
Old Noddy (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 3rd of 12, 22l behind Dukeofchesterwood (11-5) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
Fly Tipper 33-1 (10-12) Always behind, 7th of 12, well behind Always Bold (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Crystal Runner 25-1 (9-9) Tracked leader, led approaching 6th, headed after 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, in 5th and held when fell last, in a race won by Strongpoint (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
