keen early, soon prominent, hit 2nd, led after 4th, headed 6th, led again next, jumped left 2 out, mistake last, ran on well
prominent early, chased leaders after 4th, headway approaching 9th, under pressure before 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, took closer order 10th, driven to challenge 3 out, no extra approaching last
led until after 4th, led again 6th, headed next, slow 8th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
Ivans Back has had 28 starts under Rules and won three times, all on this track. His latest run at Catterick should be ignored as he broke a blood vessel. The lightly-raced Ballyadeen gained a facile victory here on Boxing Day and went up a massive 14lb which he failed to handle at Wetherby last time and has only been lowered 2lb. Pembroke House is generally consistent these days and ploughed through the Lingfield mud for a battling victory in December and Richard Johnson's presence is a bonus. He should be there at the finish but AZERT DE COEUR has more scope and gets the nod. Venetia Williams' charge was just touched off at Wetherby last month and started favourite for a better class event back there a few days later but got no further than the second fence.
Ballyadeen (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 4th, headed before 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 8, 26 1/2l behind Cultram Abbey (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Azert De Coeur (FR) 5-2fav (11-0) Towards rear, fell 2nd, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Pembroke House 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 3 out, edged right approaching last, driven out, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Bawden Rocks (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Ivans Back (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) In touch, progress to join leader 4th, led next, headed after 8th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out, at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
