always prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed when hit last, no extra
held up in rear, lost touch before 9th, tailed off
held up, not fluent 7th, mistake next, soon lost touch, tailed off
prominent, hit 8th, soon ridden, weakened approaching next, remote 5th when blundered 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, effort next, soon weakened, tailed off
pushed along intermittently, chased leaders on outside, weakened after 9th, remote 3rd when blundered last
prominent, hit 8th, weakened after next
led, hit 5th, headed approaching 3 out, soon ridden, regained lead last, stayed on gamely
chased leaders, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
In a handicap for the first time and with headgear now applied we will side with BALLINGADDY to land this for Alan King, while Painter Man is much respected in opposition. The selection has had three starts since joining his Wiltshire-based trainer and stuck on gamely over an inadequate 2m 4f at Doncaster last time. The return to three miles looks a plus, and the first-time headgear can help to galvanise him to victory. Painter Man will be a tough opponent. He didn't do a tap in front when winning last time and so there may be a fair bit more to come from him after an 8lb rise. We will find out today. Shashenka is 4lbs better off with Painter Man for a little over a length last time, but does not look open to as much improvement, while Cannon Fire has possibilities if at his best, with trip and ground of no concern. Ring Bo Ree has conditions to suit if he handles the step up in trip, but Ballingaddy is the suggestion.
Painter Man (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Held up last, headway 6th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, ridden and led 2 out, edged right after last, kept on well, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating Sashenka (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Timpo (FR) 40-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 12, 38l behind United (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Cannon Fire (FR) 17-2 (11-6) In touch, challenged 15th, led after 3 out, headed approaching last, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Ultimate Limit (10-12) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Troglodyte 50-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 7th of 13, well behind Jaunty Journey (11-3) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Ballingaddy (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway after next, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 21, 26l behind Edgbriar (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Sir Monty (USA) 11-2 (10-4) Chased leader, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on for approaching last, 4th of 8, 8l behind Penn Da Benn (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Job One (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Jumped right and moderately, in touch, lost place 4th, hit 8th, losing touch 10th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Adare Prince (11-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Sashenka 8-1 (11-1) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, rallying when short of room and hampered final 150 yards, not recover, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Painter Man (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Akash (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) With leaders, weakened 7th, 8th of 13, 40l behind Kilrossanty (10-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May '07.