held up in touch, hit 4 out, ridden before 2 out, led last, kept on well
tracked leaders and keen, challenged 4 out, led and mistake 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on
led, pressed from 4 out, headed 2 out, kept on
in rear, headway to go 3rd from 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden after 4 out, mistake 2 out, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
Paul Nicholls won the inaugural running of this last year and saddles Orbasa but the six-year-old has become difficult to place, though was beaten less than three lengths by Fox Appeal here last month and is 4lb better off less his rider’s claim – both hold Gabrial The Great on that run. Ballybolley is useful when in the mood and pulled well clear of a big field at Haydock last time, though has never won off a mark this high. Virgilio has been keeping very good company since winning here in October and can’t be ignored but HENRYVILLE (NAP) was very much in the mood at Cheltenham last month and has also enjoyed himself here in the past – he may well win again.
Henryville 7-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway when hampered 4 out, led before 2 out, mistake last, in command when hung right towards finish, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr beating Foxtail Hill (10-6) by 4l, 10 ran.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Chased leaders on outside, 3rd 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, stayed on gamely to assert soon after the last, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (2) gf in Apr beating Orbasa (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ballybolley (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Made all, clear from 4 out, easily, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Captain Redbeard (11-11) by 17l, 11 ran.
Gabrial The Great (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, not fluent 3rd, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, tried to refuse 2 out and lost modest 4th soon after, 5th of 6, dist behind Fox Appeal (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Orbasa (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leading pair, disputing 2nd from 10th, hit 5 out, dropped to 3rd next, lost 3rd when mistake 3 out, blundered next, driven into 3rd again last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Such A Legend (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Virgilio (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked winner to after 3rd, chased front pair, outpaced 4 out, ridden next, no chance after, 3rd of 5, 20l behind Might Bite (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gd in Apr.
