tracked leader early, took keen hold, led 3rd, shaken up approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 before 2 out, soon no extra, weakened
ran in snatches, led early, slow jump 3rd, soon headed and dropped to last, headway to track leader 10th, pushed along 4 out, ridden before 3 out, headway to challenge leader 2 out, soon led, awkward jump last and headed final 150yds, ran on
raced in last, close up 3rd, prominent when slow jump 12th, driven along 2 out, switched right to challenge approaching final fence, ridden to lead inside final 150yds, kept on well
Eminent Poet needs the mud and is making his chasing debut aged 11. Ultimate Getaway has won two bumpers and two hurdles but his completion record between the flags was poor. BALKO SAINT needs to rediscover his best form and is upped in trip but has the most scope of this trio.
Balko Saint (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked front pair, pushed along before 3 out, soon outpaced, held when not fluent 2 out, last of 4, 16l behind Midnights Legacy (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Eminent Poet 16-1 (11-9) Led, pushed along approaching 2 out, headed last, ridden flat, no extra and lost two places final 50yds, 4th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Emmpressive Lady (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Ultimate Getaway (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led until before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
