Four times a winner on the Flat in Ireland, SIMPLY TRUE only beat one home on his debut over hurdles at Cheltenham but this is a much easier task and there were signs of promise. Balkardy was a 33/1 chance at Warwick and never really going the pace but he stayed on into third – he might be suited by stepping up in trip. More Than A Prince won over 7f at Brighton as a juvenile but showed very little on the level last year.
Balkardy (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway approaching 5th, no impression on leaders before 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 9, 7 1/2l behind Hamilton Dici (10-12) at Warwick 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
More Than A Prince 18-1 (9-9) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Flying Dragon (9-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
One Last Glance Passing Glance gelding out of Lillie Lou.
Simply True (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Led, slow and not fluent 4th, headed before last, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Adagio (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) sft in Dec.
Son Of Oz 40-1 (10-12) Not always fluent, in rear, mistake 5th, soon behind, last of 9, dist behind Hamilton Dici (10-12) at Warwick 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Glass Of Bubbles (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Midfield, ridden for effort over 4f out, weakened from 3f out, 8th of 10, 34 1/4l behind Straight Ash (8-13) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
