tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, lost 2nd 9th, went 2nd again after 4 out, well beaten 2 out
led, blundered and unseated rider 10th
held up, not fluent 9th, left 2nd when hampered next, 3rd and weakening after 4 out
held up, went 2nd 9th, left in lead when hampered next, well clear from 2 out
non runner
BALLYALTON has every chance on these terms. He went close to catching Aso over course and distance last month and can go one better in this. Deep Trouble has 7lb to find with the selection but should still go well having finished second at Leicester recently. Fairytale Theatre has a similar mark over hurdles to the former and makes her chasing debut while Wings Attract won at Doncaster in November but is penalised for that success. Lockstockandbarrel and Frontline look up against it in this company.
Wings Attract (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden before 4 out, chased clear winner before 2 out, never on terms, weakened and lost modest 2nd approaching last, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Noble Legend (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Deep Trouble (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Led, not fluent 8th, headed 4 out, jumped right 3 out, still upside winner last, no impression, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 3, 4 1/2l behind Doctor Harper (11-0) at Leicester 2m (3) sft in Jan.
Frontline (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Impeded 1st and not fluent, chased leaders, moderate 2nd before 4 out, some headway and pecked 3 out, kept on without reaching winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 3l behind My Direction (11-11) at Gowran Park 2m 2f gd in Oct.
Lockstockandbarrel (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in 4th, tracked front pair 6th until before 5 out, soon one pace, stayed on to reagain 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 5, 18 1/4l behind Oscar Sunset (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Ballyalton (IRE) 11-4 (10-10) In rear, headway 4 out, chased winner before 3 out, kept on and always held run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Aso (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (2) sft in Jan.
Fairytale Theatre (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Prominent, lost place 5th, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 10, 27 3/4l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-3) at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Jan.
