tracked leaders, led after 7th, headed 3 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, led run-in, kept on gamely
tracked leaders, led before 3rd, headed after 7th, remained close up until weakened after 4 out
in rear, headway before 4 out, led 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened
led, headed before 3rd, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 6 out
held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, pushed along after 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 6 out
tracked leader, led and blundered 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, kept on
Ballybough Pat showed plenty of grit to hold off Double Handful at Kempton earlier this week but has a welter burden to carry here with his penalty. Trillerin Minella was flattered by his proximity to Pumped Up Kicks at Warwick last month but Imperial Vic can race off the same mark as when a close third over course and distance last month and makes more appeal than last year's winner Book 'Em Danno. Green Wizard disappointed last time at Hexham so we'll take a chance that MASTER OF THE HALL can translate the form of a recent good run over hurdles here back over fences. He can race off a 5lb lower mark today.
Ballybough Pat (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Led, ridden when not fluent 2 out, soon headed, led again before last, stayed on well, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Double Handful (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Count Salazar (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) Held up; ev ch 2 out; no ex flat, 3rd of 7, 4l behind The King of Angels (12-0) at Quorn 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Master Of The Hall (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) In rear, ridden and headway before 2 out, in 3rd and one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind The Road Ahead (10-7) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Book'em Danno (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Led, headed 5th, tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, last of 4, 33l behind Itsuptoyou (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Apr.
Green Wizard (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) In touch, mistake 7th, outpaced 4 out, well beaten after 3 out, 6th of 7, well behind Pinerolo (11-10) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Imperial Vic (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 8th, driven and outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, no impression flat, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Lord Landen (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Apr.
Trillerin Minella (IRE) 11-2 (9-12) Led, headed when hit 11th, chased winner, stumbled 13th, no impression next, mistakes 2 out and last, 2nd of 3, 5l behind Pumped Up Kicks (11-11) at Warwick 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gd in Apr.
