tracked front pair, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, regained modest 3rd last, no chance with front pair
tracked leader, challenged after 4 out, led next, driven and hard pressed from 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on well towards finish
led, not fluent 4 out, blundered and headed next, soon one pace, no chance with front pair when mistake and lost 3rd last, soon weakened
BALLYANDY (NAP) won the Betfair Hurdle in February and was then fourth in the Supreme Novices’ at Cheltenham. His yard has won this in five of the last 10 years and the six-year-old is a potentially high-class recruit to chasing and, if his jumping holds up, should be too good for Irish raiders Fagan and Chitu, who are conceding weight but have already won around here. Mr Monochrome was no mug over hurdles and, related to a host of winning jumpers, should be even better over fences so is worth monitoring for future reference.
Chitu (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, ran on well, won at Perth 2m (4) gs in Aug beating Rendezvous Peak (11-2) by 14l, 4 ran.
Fagan 15-8 (10-12) Chased clear leader, closed 12th, challenged 3 out, led next, just under 1 length ahead when left well clear last, won at Perth 3m (4) gd in Jul beating Solway Trigger (10-12) by dist, 5 ran.
Ballyandy 3-1jfav (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and outpaced between last 2, no impression in 4th from last, 4th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Labaik (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Mr Monochrome 15-8 (11-10) Never that fluent, led, hit 5th, pushed along and headed after 3 out, lost 2nd before next, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Sam Spinner (12-0) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
