led, hit 7th, headed 9th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
held up in rear, weakened 8th, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, reminders 8th, led 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on
held up behind, headway 4 out to chase leaders, challenged 3 out, one pace from last
in touch, blundered 9th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along after 7th, soon weakened
chased leader, took close order 8th, mistake 9th, hit next, outpaced from 3 out
BALLYVOGE is difficult to oppose and it looks like Stagecoach Opal and Borero will be the most likely dangers. Nicky Richards' team are always respected in this division and the soft ground lover, Ballyvoge makes lots of appeal. Three miles does seem to be the undoing of him from a stamina perspective but his style of running should be conducive to him getting home this afternoon. Stagecoach Opal has been disappointing over chase fences but has had his moments over hurdles. The headgear has been removed today. Borero has plenty of French form to his name. He was heavily punted at Bangor before showing relatively little on that occasion. Matcho Pierji won at Wetherby on his final start of last season. He is equipped with cheekpieces for the first time this afternoon. Glacial Delight and Orki Des Aigles may need their first run back. Extra Smooth is proven on the ground and makes a degree of appeal of those at longer odds. Bushido is racefit though makes mistakes. Ballyvoge has been presented with an obvious opportunity and it will be disappointing if he cannot take it.
Ballyvoge (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 2nd, headed 8th, led again 12th, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 7l behind The Gangerman (10-10) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Oct.
Glacial Delight (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Behind, mistake 11th, lost touch from next, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Harry's Dream (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct '06.
Matcho Pierji (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 6th, challenged 2 out, hard ridden after last, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Wetherby 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb beating Kealshore Lad (11-10) by a nk, 7 ran.
Borero (FR) 9-2co-fav (11-11) In touch on outer, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Cava Bien (11-4) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Stagecoach Opal 10-3 (10-11) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, headway 10th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 9, 18l behind My Turn Now (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Jun.
Extra Smooth 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, chased leader from 5 out, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, well behind Cavers Glen (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Orki Des Aigles (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Towards rear, reminders 11th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Laertes (11-5) at Perth 3m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr, 18 ran.
Bushido (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place 12th, one pace when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Roznic (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 10 ran.
