chased clear leader, closed 5th, left in lead 2 out, ran on
keen in touch, hit 3rd, left 2nd 2 out, kept on one pace
close up, weakened 3 out
in rear, good headway on long run to 2 out, hampered and left 3rd 2 out, kept on
led and soon clear, reduced lead 5th, looked in trouble when fell 2 out
It's hard to see past BALLYBRIGGAN here. John Quinn's charge finished behind Pegasus Prince, who runs in the previous race on today's card, over 2m3f here last time and can take care of today's rivals despite carrying a penalty for last October's win at Aintree. Battonier has found life tough in bumpers after winning on his debut at Fontwell and should do better now hurdling, but Shan Blue needs to settle better after taking up the running in a couple of starts over timber and fading badly on both occasions. Rear Admiral may prove best of the rest on his first start over obstacles.
Ballybriggan (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Chased clear pair, close up when mistake 6th, driven and outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 12, 7l behind Pegasus Prince (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Batonnier (FR) 16-1 (11-11) Mid-division in touch, driven to chase leaders 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, never on terms, 5th of 16, 13l behind Anychancedave (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Danny Cool 50-1 (11-3) Held up, always behind, tailed off 2 out, 12th of 15, well behind Spirit of Adjisa (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Rear Admiral (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear and keen, chased leaders halfway, pushed along 4f out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 21l behind The Tracey Shuffle (11-10) at Newcastle 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Shan Blue (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Jumped left, led, clear 6th until 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 14, 19l behind Risaala (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gd in Feb.
Sheepclose (IRE) 200-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 48l behind Raya Star (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Ellis 200-1 (10-7) In rear, not fluent 4th, soon pushed along, lost touch 6th, badly tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Non Dom (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
