never that fluent, led until 9th, chased winner, every chance when fell 14th
chased leaders, 3rd at 9th, badly hampered and left 3rd at 14th, 3rd and one pace when blundered 3 out
last pair, dropped to last and lost touch 6th, kept on well run-in, nearest finish
ran in snatches, chased leader until 7th, chased leaders, lost 3rd 10th, soon behind, tailed off when blundered 13th
held up in last pair, pushed along in 5th after 11th, left modest 4th and hampered at 14th, kept on run-in, almost snatched modest 3rd
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd at 7th, not fluent next, led 9th, mistake 12th, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, weakened and no chance with winner, mistake last
held up in last trio, headway into 3rd place 10th, left close 2nd 4 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, stayed on strongly
Josses Hill showed a glimpse of his old form at Huntingdon and maybe a wind operation has had the desired effect. He still looks a risky proposition over this longer trip, however, and Minella Daddy has shown little in two runs this term. Barney Dwan has never quite fulfilled his potential but he wasn’t beaten far last time at Bangor so makes more appeal than Cold March while recent course runner-up Glen Rocco steps up in distance and out of novice company. Ballykan has only run twice since second in this last year when a pound higher in the weights but he’s capable of running well fresh. BALLY LONGFORD is effective over a range of distances and may have gone close over 2m at Wincanton last time had he not blundered three out – the latter gets a tentative vote.
Josses Hill (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Prominent, jumped slowly throughout, lost place 7th, behind from 10th, 4th of 9, 12 3/4l behind Charbel (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Barney Dwan (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) Held up, mistake 1st, headway 12th, ridden 3 out, keeping on one pace when left 3rd at last, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Yala Enki (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Cold March (FR) 12-1 (12-1) Led until 2nd, lost place 4th, closed 9th, struggling before 11th, well beaten approaching 3 out, 7th of 10, 32l behind Martiloo (10-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Minella Daddy (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Led until mistake and headed 14th, lost 2nd approaching next, weakened 16th, soon behind, 10th of 12, 36 1/2l behind Valtor (11-3) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
Ballykan 15-8fav (11-6) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, left 2nd before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Midnight Shot (11-3) at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Bally Longford (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-12) Held up, headway into 4th place when not fluent 5th (water), tracked leading pair 9th, not fluent next, well there in 3rd when blundered and nearly unseated rider 2 out, weakened run-in, 5th of 7, 3l behind Admiral's Secret (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Glen Rocco 12-1 (10-6) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, rallied after 3 out, stayed on well to chance winner towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Glen Forsa (10-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
