chased leaders, every chance when mistake 3 out, soon rallied, kept on same pace approaching last
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, mistakes 3 out and last, no extra
held up, beaten 3 out
prominent, mistake 2nd, outpaced after 4 out, rallied 2 out, kept on into 4th, never a threat
held up in rear, never dangerous
disputed lead until chased winner 4 out, weakened after next
disputed lead until led 4 out, driven clear 2 out, mistake last, ran on well
held up, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
El Picador won with plenty in hand over track and trip last month and is penalised along with Extreme Force, who scored over today’s trip at Catterick last time. But John McConnell sent over a stable newcomer from Ireland to win this last year and attempts the same feat with NEVER DO NOTHING. Rated 91 on the Flat for Andrew Balding, the latter can include a winning hurdler among his relatives and may well be good enough on his debut over timber. Dynali showed some improvement at Market Rasen last time but Balranald ran poorly behind El Picador here on his latest start while The Furrows End makes his hurdling bow.
El Picador (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up, smooth headway after 4 out, left in close 2nd next, led before 2 out, clear when hit last, kept on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m (2) gs in Dec beating Hasankey (10-12) by 9l, 8 ran.
Extreme Force (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, 2nd from 2 out, led before jumping left last, ran on well, clear towards finish, won at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Cawthorne Lad (10-12) by 3l, 15 ran.
Balranald (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leader until 4th, chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 26 1/2l behind El Picador (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m (2) gs in Dec.
Beat Box (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders early, mid-division, effort approaching 2 out, no impression, 8th of 15, 18 1/2l behind Extreme Force (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Dequall 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, taken wide briefly before 1st (normal 2nd), went remote 4th before 2 out, 4th of 7, 28 1/4l behind Guardia Top (10-5) at Perth 2m mdn (4) hvy in Sep.
Dynali 33-1 (10-12) Prominent, effort when hit 2 out, soon driven and one pace, no impression with leaders before last, 4th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Lord Lamington (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Never Do Nothing (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) Slowly into stride, behind, driven and headway under pressure over 1f out, ridden and stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Apparate (8-8) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp stks (2) gf in Sep.
Sea Art 9-4 (10-12) Prominent, ridden before 2 out, no extra approaching last, 6th of 15, 16 1/2l behind Extreme Force (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Sleepdancer (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Led until pushed along and headed over 6f out, lost 2nd over 5f out, ridden and weakened soon after, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Sea Of Mystery (9-10) at Southwell 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
The Furrows End 6-1 (11-0) Led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace, 3rd of 7, 11l behind The Mick Preston (11-0) at Hereford 2m (5) sft in Dec.
