always prominent, went 2nd 16th, led before 3 out, ridden clear approaching next, driven out flat
tracked leader, ridden, lost place after 12th, lost touch 5 out, ridden, kept on from 2 out, no impression
in rear, reminders 5th, struggling from halfway, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, went 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
held up, struggling 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
held up in touch, chased leader after 12th to 16th, weakened 4 out
led, headed before 3 out, ridden, no impression when jumped right from next, lost 2nd near finish
Withdrawn
In receipt of weight from all, Jballingall can come out on top, with Willie The Fish, Cinnamon Line, Nectare de Guye and It's Definite others with claims. Yet another hard one to call, and so only a small vote of confidence is given to Jballingall who is out to get the losses back after his latest defeat at Ayr three weeks ago. The two mile trip that day was far too short for the eight-year-old who looked much more comfortable lobbing along to score over the course-and-distance the time before, and as he is still very well handicapped these days, he should go close off bottom weight. Willie The Fish was pulled up behind the selection here, but has posted two fair placed efforts either side, so will be a popular choice as well, while Cinnamon Line can line up on the back of a gutsy effort at Uttoxeter, and must not be discounted despite his burden. It's Definite has topweight to overcome but is improving with each race, and Nectar de Guye has more scope than most here at the age of six, so this has the makings of a close-knit contest. However, Michael McAlister, who rode the winner of this event 12 months ago, can repeat the feat on Jballingall.
It's Definite (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Disputed lead until 11th, soon driven along, rallied approaching 2 out, pecked last, stayed on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, 5l behind He's The Gaffer (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Nectar De Guye (FR) 13-2 (11-5) Held up, headway to track winner 13th, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 17l behind Matmata de Tendron (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Uneven Line 7-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden and kept on 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 16, 43l behind Witch Wind (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Sailor A'Hoy 100-1 (10-0) Mid-division, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Willie The Fish (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, every chance next, stayed on flat, just held, 2nd of 13, hd behind Oscar The Boxer (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Amber Light (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 10th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 16, 28l behind Radnor Lad (10-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Cinnamon Line 20-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 10th, led 2 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec beating Full On (10-1) by 5l, 14 ran.
Jballingall 5-2fav (10-6) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on from next, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Roadworthy (10-9) at Ayr 2m cnd hcp hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
