held up in rear, progress 11th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, held when fell last
led, ridden and headed between 4 out and 3 out, keeping on one pace when hampered and left 3rd at last
tracked leader until ridden between 4 out and 3 out, weakened 2 out, left 4th last
held up in touch, ridden 4 out, chased winner 3 out, kept on one pace, left clear 2nd at last
tracked leaders, led between 4 out and 3 out, soon ridden stayed on
NEPTUNE EQUESTER has progressed in leaps and bounds since joining Brian Ellison from Paul Murphy and can take another step forwards by completing his four timer. He is 8lbs higher than when winning at Wetherby but could easily have been handed a heftier rise than that and will appreciate being stepped back up in trip. He does have to concede plenty of weight to Quinder Spring who stayed on well in the manner of a horse who will relish this longer trip and has escaped with just a 4lb rise for that narrow success. Pennek is well worth watching in the market as he developed into a useful staying hurdler for Alan King but races from a far lower mark over fences having struggled in this discipline for his previous connections whilst Ballabrook hails from a yard in form.
Neptune Equester 5-1 (10-4) In rear,headway 5 out, led approaching 3 out, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m 4f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct beating Qulinton (11-1) by 5l, 9 ran.
Pennek (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Soon towards rear, hit 4th and 13th, never dangerous, 11th of 18, 49l behind Poker De Sivola (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m am nov chs (2) gd in Mar.
Herald Angel (FR) 11-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 9th, weakened next , behind when pulled up 2out, in a race won by Palos Conti (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Ballabrook (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 7th, weakened after 11th, 6th of 12, 39l behind Deuteronomy (10-4) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Quinder Spring (FR) 7-2 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 10th, chased leaders 3 out, 5th and ridden between last 2, went 7 lengths 3rd last, edged right under pressure flat, ran on well to lead final strides, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Oct beating Tifoso (10-6) by nk, 10 ran.