in touch, effort 3 out, weakened after next
mistake 1st, mid-division, ridden after 5th, kept on same pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last
slowly away, soon led, went right 4th, hit 2 out, ridden, headed before last, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
tracked leader, ridden, every chance 2 out, kept on but always held from last
tracked leader, led approaching last, kept on well, ridden out
always towards rear
in touch until 3 out
hit 4th, always towards rear
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
always towards rear
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last
mid-divison, ridden, headway after 3 out, kept on same pace from last
always towards rear
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden after next, one pace from last
Nonrunner
An open handicap to get proceedings underway and narrow preference is for Ballyan ahead of Greek Revival and Tiger King. The most interesting runner in the lineup is Greek Revival; off a feather weight he must be respected if the market speaks in the favour of Tony Martin's charge. However, Ballyan comes here in fair form and is fancied to oblige. A decent third last time out, Howard Johnson's gelding should strip fitter for that run. Whilst he is yet to win in six starts over timber, the ground should suit and he is the nomination. Patavium belied his big odds when running well last time out and he could scrape a place, however a more feasible danger could be Tiger King. A winner at Perth back in August, Peter Monteith's gelding is progressing nicely and should be competitive. King Daniel returns from a break but if fit enough he should be in the frame, whilst the same applies to Storm Prospect. At a price Goodnight Dick could go well, however it is Ballyan who gets the nod.
Stainley (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Behind, weakened 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Lennon (11-5) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Apr, 13 ran.
Storm Prospect 9-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, blundered next, last of 5, 21l behind Poquelin (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gf in Apr.
King Daniel 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 6th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 14, 16l behind Pevensey (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Balyan (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, smooth headway 3 out, soon ridden and no extra from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Battlecry (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Patavium (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 11l behind Scutch Mill (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sept.
Tiger King (GER) 9-2 (10-6) Prominent, smooth headway, every chance 2 out, soon led, driven clear flat, won at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Aug beating Kristiansand (10-0) by 4l, 7 ran.
Border Tale 9-1 (10-10) Held up, stayed on under pressure from approaching 2 out, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Master Nimbus (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Blue Buster 5-2fav (10-12) Held up, hampered 5th, headway next, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 15, 11l behind Marine Life (10-12) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Flying Doctor 20-1 (11-2) Always behind, last of 10, 45l behind Newton Bridge (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Wise Choice 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, led 5th to after 3 out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Prime Bere (9-11) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Goodnight Dick (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, weakened from 5 out, tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Tomorrow's Dream (11-12) at Listowel 2m 1f beg chs gf in Sept.
Insurgent (IRE) 4-1 (9-11) Held up, ridden 4 out, rallied next, stayed on to lead flat, held on close home, won at Carlisle 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Heavenly Chorus (10-0) by a hd, 10 ran.
Le Rouge Fatal (FR) 25-1 (10-8) Chased leader, disputed lead after 5th, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 40l behind Snow's Ride (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Baffling Secret (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Raced keenly in touch, effort when mistake 3 out, no impression from next, 7th of 14, 19l behind Hi Dancer (10-13) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Big Bertha 8-1 (11-3) Keen, in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 13, 10l behind Our Joycey (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Velocissima (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, every chance 3 out, ridden and blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 41l behind Lord Rosskit (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jul '06.
Greek Revival (USA) 5-1fav (9-13) Towards rear, progress 2 out, 5th and ridden last, kept on, 4th of 18, 13l behind Cousteau (10-7) at Down Royal 2m hacp hdl gd in Aug.
Moyne Pleasure (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, ridden 2 out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 21l behind Barney (10-1) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jun.
