led until 4th, pressed leader, led again before 3 out until 3 out, lost 2nd before next, one pace and no chance with leading duo
held up off the pace in 5th, closer in 4th before 5th, 2nd before 2 out, challenged and hit last, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final 150 yards
ran very green in rear and not fluent, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
off the pace mid-division, towards rear and struggling from 5th, tailed off
pressed leader, led 4th, pecked 5th, hit 4 out, headed and weakened before 3 out, blundered 2 out, mistake last, modest 4th towards finish
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off
held up towards rear, plugged on into modest 6th before 3 out
off the pace in 4th until dropped to 5th place 5th, outpaced 4 out, pushed along and no impression in 4th before 3 out, mistake last, weakened into 5th towards finish
tracked clear leading pair, closer 4 out, led 3 out, joined last, ridden and edged right run-in, headed and no extra inside final 150 yards
always towards rear, tailed off
off the pace mid-division, pushed along and struggling 4 out, tailed off
mistake 1st, towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
This may be too short for ex-pointer Brave Eagle but the sharp track might suit Minella For Me, who led into the straight last time at Exeter. Oxwich Bay was a close third behind the useful Robinshill on his debut over hurdles at Ffos Las. The second has disappointed since but Evan Williams’ charge must have a good chance of opening his account here. BALLYMOUNTAIN BOY looks a nice prospect, however, as he was second to the smart Nero Wolf in a bumper at Uttoxeter before winning easily at Huntingdon. He’s won between the flags so the switch to hurdles should see him in an even better light.
Ballymountain Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Made all, hard driven when challenged over 2f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Huntingdon 2m (6) gs in Dec beating Solighoster (11-7) by 4l, 12 ran.
Brave Eagle (IRE) Evens (11-10) Twrds rr, 5th & mstk 3rd, fair 4th bef 4out until prog bef 3out, poor 3rd & no ex 2out, 3rd of 6, 27l behind Report To Base (11-10) at Dromahane 3m mdn hvy in Apr.
Coudefoudre (FR) Martaline gelding out of Chamoss World.
Flans O Man (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Mid div, 5th 1/2way, eff to jn ldr appr str, b mstk 2out & lost ch, ko onepcd from last, 5th of 13, 10 1/4l behind The Tailor Quigley (12-2) at Stradbally 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Minella For Me (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led until before 3 out, chased leaders, weakened next, 5th of 12, 26l behind Air Horse One (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Muilean Na Madog (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, 2nd over 4f out, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 18 1/2l behind Loud And Clear (11-0) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Aug.
Orions Gold 250-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, took keen hold, hit 5th, soon behind, pulled up after, at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Otter Moon 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 3 out, soon well beaten, 7th of 13, dist behind Keeper Hill (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Jan.
Our Delboy 33-1 (11-0) Behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 12, 28 1/2l behind Way Back Then (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Oxwich Bay (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Robinshill (12-5) at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Whispering Nick 100-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, dist behind Top Ville Ben (11-5) at Leicester 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Betterlatethanneva (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway on outside 9f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 11, 22 3/4l behind Poisoned Berry (10-11) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Aug.
She Told You So 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, weakened 6f out, tailed off, 13th of 17, dist behind Marten (11-0) at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Dec.
