in rear and not fluent, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed before last, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden before last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led before last, kept on well
held up in touch, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, one pace
with leader, blundered 10th, ridden and weakened before 2 out
Ballyvoneen has won six times around here but was only third in this last year behind Green Bank. The winner races off an identical mark today but has been very disappointing since. Sandynow is a long-standing maiden over fences and Sky Watch has yet to make the frame over the larger obstacles while King Fontaine has been looking a light of former days. JAYANDBEE has a long absence to overcome but fitness shouldn't be a problem and he was placed three times in the spring of last year off higher marks - the top weight gets a tentative vote.
Jayandbee (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, outpaced before 5 out, ridden before 4 out, left 2nd 4 out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Oscarslad (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
Green Bank (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place halfway, soon beaten, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Bangor 3m hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Sandynow (IRE) 3-1fav (10-13) Led until 2nd, jumped slowly 3rd (water), led again 6th, jumped slowly 11th (water), headed 14th, stayed with every chance, hard ridden and hung left flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Presented (11-7) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
King Fontaine (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Always behind, pulled up approaching 11th, at Bangor 3m hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Ballyvoneen (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Prominent, mistake 14th, lost place next, mistake and unseated rider 5 out, at Cartmel 3m 6f hcp (3) gs in May.
Sky Watch (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Led, headed after 6th, tracked leader, lost place and ridden before 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on to take 3rd flat, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 6, 7 1/2l behind Mont Choisy (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f mdn (5) sft in Aug.
Time Is Tickin 7-1 (11-6) Lost touch from 3rd, pulled up before 2 out, at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.