tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, soon challenged, led after last, ridden clear flat, ran on
led, hard pressed 2 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on, no impression with winner flat
prominent, lost place after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
always behind, struggling from 4th, tailed off 3 out
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, never near leaders, weakened next
prominent, ridden and lost place approaching 2 out, no chance with clear trio between last 2
mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased front pair before next, one pace last, ridden and no impression flat
always behind, struggling when mistake 4 out, tailed off next, soon pulled up
always behind, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off
ASHKOUL is narrowly preferred to Ballinslea Bridge in a race likely to be dominated by the pair. A winner twice on the Flat in France, he has been second in both start over hurdles for Dan Skelton and may be suited by today’s slower ground. Olly Murphy’s charge has won a point and been placed in bumpers but his hurdling second at Fakenham came over 2m4f. His Dream is probably better than he showed at Exeter but Weebill may need the experience and Jacbequick is likely to do better in handicaps.
Ashkoul (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Prominent, led before last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Mahlervous (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Dec.
Ballinslea Bridge (IRE) 11-8 (10-12) Mostly jumped right, led, ridden and jumped sharply right 2 out, headed soon after, rallied to press winner next when dived right and lost all chance, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Classic Ben (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Brights Park (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) In rear, ridden after 6th, well behind next, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Enniscoffey Oscar (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Ciboir (FR) 100-1 (11-0) In rear, pushed along after 5f, weakened 6f out, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Ballygomartin (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f (6) gd in Oct.
His Dream (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out (usual 4 out), outpaced before next (usual 3 out), soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 15, dist behind Dynamite Dollars (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
Jacbequick 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and in 4th place before 2 out, weakened from last, 5th of 13, 16l behind Rockalzaro (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Weebill 5-1 (10-12) In rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Two For Gold (10-12) at Southwell 2m (5) gd in Dec.
Rosie Hall (IRE) 200-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 25 1/4l behind Little Jo (8-12) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Silk Run (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) In rear, jumped slow 2nd, soon detached, some headway from 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 18 1/2l behind Arthington (11-8) at Leicester 2m (3) sft in Dec.
