towards rear, brought down 4 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 2 out, led last, kept on, driven out
tracked leaders, fell 4 out
tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed last, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish
led, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened from 2 out, fell last
towards rear, outpaced from 4 out
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway before 3 out, pecked badly 3 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, held close home
in rear, brought down 4 out
Zolfo continues to defy the handicapper but only just prevailed over a shorter trip here last time to land a hat-trick. He’s raised a further 5lb today and the less-exposed BALLINSLEA BRIDGE is preferred having been beaten only a length over today’s trip at Exeter on New Year’s Day on his second start over fences. Just Don't Ask was placed over course and distance on Boxing Day and has a shout along with Lithic, who gets a change of headgear dropping back down to a more suitable trip. Tiffin Top faces an easier task than at Wincanton last time and is preferred to Sporting Press.
Lithic (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Towards rear, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Zolfo (IRE) 3-1 (12-5) Tracked leader, led after 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Fort De L'Ocean (11-3) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Just Don't Ask (IRE) 11-8fav (11-1) In rear, 4th and in touch 10th, mistake 12th, soon outpaced, left 3rd 4 out, went 2nd after 2 out, unable to trouble winner and dropped to 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Beau Bay (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Ballinslea Bridge (IRE) 11-4 (12-7) Held up in 5th place, closer in 3rd at 9th, in lead before 4 out, in 2nd place run-in, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Tea Time On Mars (11-6) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Ramonex (GER) 10-1 (11-11) Disputed 2nd, driven and lost place when edged left bend after 4 out, outpaced next, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Indian Temple (12-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Tiffin Top 11-2 (10-6) Held up, mistakes 1st and 3rd, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Baddesley Knight (11-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Bandsman 5-1 (12-5) Chased leaders, slow 6th, soon lost touch, beaten 4 out, last of 5, 18 1/2l behind Zolfo (12-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Sporting Press (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, outpaced 5 out, soon beaten, pulled up soon after 2 out, at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
