chased leaders, blundered 2nd, not fluent 8th, lost place after 10th, well beaten from next, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, hampered 1st, mistake 12th, jumped left and pecked 3 out, pressed for 2nd until last, stayed on same pace flat
led 1st until headed and pecked 3 out, weakened next
held up, jumped big and awkward 1st, mistake 9th, well beaten from 13th
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 11th, 6th but not on terms when fell 12th
jumped left, mid-division, awkward 1st, headway after 4 out, 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, stayed on flat
tracked leaders, hit 5th, not fluent 9th, hit 11th, outpaced 13th, jumped left and mistake 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, mistakes and jumped left, plugged on from 2 out, went 4th flat, never any chance
led until jumped right 1st, prominent, not fluent 7th, led again3 out, clear before last, driven out
Johnny Farrelly placed Love The Leader expertly to complete a four timer last month, the latter victory on his chasing debut. Not surprisingly he's shot up the weights as a consequence and is 14lb higher which may put paid to another success. HE'S A BULLY didn't always jump fluently when scoring at Wincanton but still managed to win comfortably and should have more to offer so he's given the nod. Ballyknock Lad makes his chasing debut from the top of this handicap but has plenty of scope and made an encouraging reappearance over hurdles at Chepstow having won there in April. Magheral Express is another having his first start over the bigger obstacles though he's won a point and looks a chaser in the making.
Ballyknock Lad (IRE) 7-2fav (11-8) Mid-division, headway tracking leaders 2nd, led approaching 3 out, ridden and joined before last, driven flat, headed and not pace of winner in closing stages, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Tobefair (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Horsehill (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, pecked 2nd, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, chased winner before next, no impression when mistake last, 2nd of 7, 16l behind Peggy Do (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Mar.
Magheral Express (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd between last 2, every chance when not fluent last, ridden and kept on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Uncle Tone (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f mdn (4) gd in Jul.
Golan Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) In rear, fell 14th, at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Love The Leader (IRE) 5-2fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, close up 6th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, ridden to lead last, held on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Nautical Twilight (11-11) by 2l, 12 ran.
He's A Bully (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Took keen hold, held up in rear, jumped left and not that fluent, mistake 8th, headway next, went 2nd 10th, led before 3 out, ridden after next, 3 lengths ahead when left well clear last, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gf in Oct beating Supapowers (11-10) by 9l, 6 ran.
Albert D'Olivate (FR) 9-2fav (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent when bumped 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off, 10th of 14, dist behind Cash Injection (10-10) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Only Gorgeous (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd or 6th, led after 3 out, driven flat, headed close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Cruise In Style (10-13) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Vendredi Trois (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Prominent, mistake 9th, ridden and no impression on winner before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 14, 11l behind Presence Felt (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.