in touch, mistake 3rd, blundered 10th, soon weakened
chased leaders, led soon after 3 out, joined when mistake last, headed and no extra flat
behind, ridden 7th, blundered and unseated rider next
behind, mistake 7th, driven and tailed off when pulled up after 9th
always behind, ridden and struggling 4 out, 6th and no chance when pulled up before last
held up towards rear, never in contention
in touch, plugged on from 3 out, chased leading pair bypassing omitted 2 out, mistake last
always behind
led, ridden and headed soon after 3 out, weakened
in touch when blundered and unseated rider 4th
prominent, went 2nd bypassing omitting 2 out, upside last, led flat, ridden out
Nonrunner
An open novices' handicap chase can go to Ri Na Realta, with others making the short list being Missyl, Full On and Lambrini Mist. Missyl showed enough when second at Fontwell last time to be given some thought, while Full On's form of a year ago would give him a shout, as would Ri Na Realta's spring form, and he has done well at this track. You could build the case for Atlantis being well-weighted on his best pieces of form, but he has clearly had his troubles, but watch the betting for some clues. Lambrini Mist comes here in good heart following a Kelso win and is respected, while Opportunity Knocks is another that could be considered based on his spring form. But, in a race where the betting might provide your best set of clues, we will side with Ballykelly as the selection.
Flying Spur (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 7th and 10th, closer order 11th, in touch when fell 4 out in race won by Cansalrun (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Sept, 9 ran.
Missyl (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in 2nd, lost place 4th, kept on from 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Lord Jay Jay (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn chs (4) gf in Sept.
Full On 5-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, well behind Kyno (11-12) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Apr.
Ri Na Realta (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, mistake 11th, behind from 14th, 5th of 8, well behind Legal Glory (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Sept.
Atlantis (HOL) 7-2fav (10-13) Mid-division, ridden approaching 6th, headway on inside after 2 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Roman Candle (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gf in Sept '05.
Spider Boy 50-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, led 9th, ridden 4 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Eljay's Boy (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Peveril Pride 33-1 (9-11) Keen hold, tracked leaders, led 10th, mistake next, hit 4 out, going easily after 3 out, joined 2 out, headed last, no extra, run-in, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Test of Friendship (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Apr.
Lambrini Mist 14-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, led 13th, stayed on strongly from 2 out, won at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Sandy Gold (11-0) by 8l, 12 ran.
