tracked winner, pushed along omitted 4 out, pulled up 3 out
close up, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
in touch in rear, wide and headway 3 out, weakened soon after next, pulled up approaching last
close up, ridden and weakened 3 out
made all, clear 4th, unchallenged
close up, dropped to rear 4th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
raced wide close up, chased winner 3 out, kept on one pace
Frankie Ballou knows where the winning post is here and was second off a higher mark on his last visit. Ashjan was fourth here in November but is hard to catch right. PALIXANDRE jumps well but has been refusing to settle. However, he had Costly Diamond behind when a distant second at Catterick earlier this month, though there may not be much between the pair today on the revised terms. Tortuga Bay had Elixer behind on his only previous try over fences so looks a danger.
Palixandre (FR) 18-5fav (11-4) Chased leader until pushed along before 3 out, chased leaders, rallied into 2nd again before the last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 10, 21l behind Silver In Disguise (11-6) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Ashjan 12-1 (10-6) Prominent, midfield 4th, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, no extra, 6th of 8, 35l behind Calivigny (11-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Tortuga Bay 8-1 (11-4) Prominet, ridden and weakened before omitted 2 out, 14th of 17, dist behind Finisher (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Christmas In Usa (FR) 11-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake and outpaced 3 out (normal 4 out), soon beaten, 5th of 8, 25 1/2l behind Crackdeloust (11-2) at Ayr 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Costly Diamond (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, lost 2nd last, weakened flat, 3rd of 7, 20 1/4l behind This Breac (10-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Frankie Ballou (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Several slow jumps, led until 3rd, led again after 5th, pushed along after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 11, 36l behind Newberry New (10-8) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Lough Legend (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Never better than mid-division, just slowly and lost place 5th, tailed off, 7th of 10, 28 3/4l behind Silver In Disguise (11-6) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Elixer (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Held up, niggled along before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 10, 21 1/4l behind Barden Bella (10-0) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
