held up in touch, chased leaders from 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch until badly hampered and unseated rider 14th
chased leader, led 18th, ridden after 2 out, edged left under pressure flat, stayed on well
chased leaders until 5th, in touch, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, pressed winner, every chance when hit last, no extra
chased leaders until 9th, in touch when blundered and unseated rider 14th
held up, not fluent 11th and 15th, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on same pace
led until 18th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up, not fluent 9th, making headway when blundered 13th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
Ballylusky took advantage of a very favourable mark when winning at Aintree in November and still looks to be ahead of the handicapper so gets the vote over top weight Exit To Wave and the consistent Over The Storm. The last mentioned has finished in the frame in both starts this term of a similar mark to today's and should again be thereabouts. Exit To Wave has caught the eye in two starts behind the useful Kingscliff this term but is prone to the odd mistake, while neither Skycab, who goes well here, nor the reappearing Celibate make much appeal with their stables out of form. Of more interest is the Venetia Williams-trained Jimmy Tennis, who ran better at Chepstow last time but the selection has to be Ballylusky. Rayed 121 over hurdles, Jonjo O'Neill's gelding was able to race off a mark of 95 when a comfortable winner at Aintree when reverting to chasing in November and duly took full advantage. A first fence faller at Leopardstown over Christmas again gives cause for concern about his jumping ability but Ballylusky remains well treated off a mark of 106 and is the logical choice.
