prominent, led 3rd, mistake 11th, headed 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, rallied to lead again last, driven out, gamely
held up, headway 3rd, pressed winner 11th, led 4 out, ridden when headed last, stayed on
held up, headway to track leaders 3rd, ridden 4 out, weakened and jumped left 2 out
prominent when mistake first, tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, reminders 7th, losing touch when mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
led headed 3rd, tracked winner, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace
Balbriggan has a shout after shaping well at Market Rasen earlier in the month. Worcester winner The Potting Shed failed to cope with a 9lb rise at Warwick last time and Spanish Optimist was tailed off on his recent comeback. Nom De Guerre saves his best for this track and it was good to firm going when he finished runner-up here on his recent reappearance. BE DEFINITE also made the frame at Wincanton last time and he gets the vote back on the same mark as when successful at Stratford last season.
Balbriggan (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 2nd, headed between 10th & 11th, led again 12th, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Italian Master (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
The Potting Shed (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, hampered 2nd, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Rockchasebullett (10-6) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Tafika 11-4fav (11-12) Held up, steady headway 9th, chased leaders 11th, went 2nd soon after 13th, ridden before 4 out, weakened 3 out, poor 5th when pulled up before next, in a race won by Jaunty Journey (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in May, 7 ran.
Be Definite (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Disputed lead from 4th, left in clear advantage 8th, headed 10th, in touch, mistake and lost place 4 out, went 2nd and jumped right from next, kept on same pace, no impression with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Plein Pouvoir (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Hot Whiskey (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 9l behind Allerton (10-1) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Nom de Guerre (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, closed after 10th, stumbled 12th, led 3 out, headed last, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Smart Catch (11-0) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Nov.
Spanish Optimist (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Held up in last pair in touch, struggling 9th, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Le Bec (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Oct.