held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, never a factor
always towards rear, lost touch from halfway
keen early, led 2nd, blundered 6th, ridden 2 out, headed and no extra flat
led until 2nd, chased leader, jumped left throughout, blundered 4 out, soon beaten
in touch, headway to track leader 4 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure to challenge approaching last, driven and led flat, all out
always behind, lost touch 4th, pulled up before 7th
always behind, lost touch halfway
A competitive heat in which it may be worth giving another chance to Premier Dane. He hasn't always been one to rely on in a finish but he produced a game effort to finish second to Seymour Weld last time. That one has won again since in impressive fashion to boost the form and Nicky Richards' popular charge may be able to go one better. Nelson Du Ronceray has shown his best form under softer conditions and is opposable on this ground but conditions look ideal for Ellerslie Tom who was last seen finishing third in the Swinton Hurdle. He failed to figure on two previous runs over fences but merits respect here. Gordon Elliott does well with his raiders and Paradise Bay could go well but has a bit to find on the book and Safari Run rates a bigger danger. She got the better of the selection on her only run over fences to date but we expect Premier Dane to reverse the form at the revised weights.
Ballyholland (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up, took closer order halfway, 7th 5 out, 6th and no extra from 2 out, 8th of 16, 32l behind Persian Return (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-102 frm in May.
Earl Sigurd (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) In rear, lost touch 7th, no danger after, left poor 4th last, 4th of 5, 27l behind Nelson du Ronceray (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) sft in Jun.
Ellerslie Tom 40-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden and kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 24, 9l behind Blue Bajan (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
Paradise Bay (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Tracked winner, headway to go 2nd before 3 out, ridden and effort when hung right next, kept on until hung left and no impression flat, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Rimsky Korsakov (10-10) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun.
Premier Dane (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up, steady headway 4 out, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Seymour Weld (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Jun.
Sandy Bay (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway chased leaders 3rd, weakened 5th, 12th of 15, well behind Goldan Jess (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Safari Run (IRE) Evensjt-fav (10-4) Held up in rear, headway 8th, led 2 out, headed after last, rallied to lead near finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in May beating Premier Dane (11-0) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 5-4fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, 5 lengths clear last, ridden and kept on flat, held on towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) sft in Jun beating Double Vodka (10-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
