mid-division in touch, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, not fluent 4 out, soon ridden and outpaced, challenged on inside next, almost upsides when mistake 2 out, 1 length down last, stayed on to lead flat, held on
with leader, led and made most from 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair before last
tracked leaders, 4th and one pace when not fluent 3 out, no impression before next
led to 3rd, pressed leader, led again approaching 2 out, soon hard pressed, ridden and headed flat, kept on
mid-division in touch, driven to chase leaders when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, kept on, never on terms
held up in last pair, struggling 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, tailed off
mid-division in touch, headway when fell 4 out
held up in last pair, hampered 4 out, soon outpaced, never near leaders
A four-year-old won this last year so winning bumper Wholestone has to be respected, despite a moderate hurdling debut at Stratford. However, his conqueror that day BALLYDINE was so impressive that it will take a big effort to prevent him completing a double. Calivigny carries a double penalty for his two victories at Ayr and he looked a nice prospect in the latest of them while Another Bill is surely better than he showed when beaten at long odds-on at Ayr. His two bumper victories on the track last season promised much and he'll be better for that opening run. Dueling Banjos battled on well to score at Kempton and today's more testing conditions should play to his strengths while it's impossible to dismiss the claims of any of the remainder in what looks a very competitive affair.
Calivigny (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, smooth headway before 4 out, led 2 out, eased run-in, very easily, won at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Solway Sam (10-9) by 5l, 6 ran.
Ballydine (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Prominent, led before 6th, not fluent 8th, clear before last, stayed on well, easily, won at Stratford 2m 6f mdn (5) sft in Oct beating Hawkhurst (11-0) by 10l, 14 ran.
Delusionofgrandeur (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Made all, hit 4 out, ridden before last, just held on, won at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov beating Ryedale Racer (10-12) by hd, 7 ran.
Dueling Banjos 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 5 out, driven clear 3 out, headed after next, rallied last, stayed on under pressure to lead again last strides, won at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov beating Rock On Oscar (10-12) by hd, 9 ran.
Jonniesofa (IRE) 9-2fav (10-12) Made all, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Kelso 2m 7f (4) sft in Nov beating Western Rules (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Another Bill (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4th, challenged 5th, led after 4 out, ridden and headed last, kept on, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Cornborough (11-0) at Ayr 2m mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Presenting Junior (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, outpaced 2 out, soon headway, went poor 3rd before last, no impression, 3rd of 7, 19 1/4l behind Delusionofgrandeur (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Wholestone (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 5th, closed after 8th, 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner in 3rd before last, one pace, 3rd of 14, 11 1/4l behind Ballydine (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Rivabodiva (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden before last, no impression, 4th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Mardale (10-10) at Hexham 2m (4) gs in Oct.
