jumped left, led until after 6th, led 10th, headed 11th, led 3 out, headed before last, no impression on winner final 75 yards
prominent on outside, lost some ground 7th, mistake and outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, closed 7th, led next, headed 10th, led 11th, headed 3 out, switched left before 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on strongly, edged right towards finish
prominent on inside, led after 6th, headed next, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch in rear, headway when mistake 12th, pushed along before 3 out, close 3rd when slightly impeded before 2 out, held from last
Bowtogreatness should be winning soon but probably at a lower level. Gerri Colombe is 7-7 in career starts but this is easily his toughest task to date. However, he can’t be ignored and Balco Coastal was a very easy winner of a handicap at Kempton after a pipe-opener at Newbury. Only half-a-length separated Monmiral and THUNDER ROCK in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last month. The latter made mistakes and ran in snatches so may well turn the tables granted a better round of jumping.
Balco Coastal (FR) 7-2jfav (11-3) Kept wide, led until 4th, remained well there in 3rd, went 2nd before 10th, led before 4 out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Solo (11-11) by 9l, 10 ran.
Bowtogreatness (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Made most until 4 out, chased winner until between last two, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 9 3/4l behind Complete Unknown (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Gerri Colombe (FR) 4-5fav (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, disputed 4 out, led travelling well entering straight, pushed along after 2 out, soon ridden and kept on well, won at Limerick 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Adamantly Chosen (11-12) by 4 1/4l, 5 ran.
Monmiral (FR) 13-8fav (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, pushed along after 3 out, no impression on winner 2 out, stayed on, just held onto 2nd, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind The Real Whacker (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 15-8 (11-2) In rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 4th, closed 6th, pecked next, not fluent 16th, outpaced when not fluent 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, edged left and stayed on flat, no impression on winner, just failed to get 2nd, 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind The Real Whacker (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan.
