chased winner, jumped left 1st 2nd and 4th, blundered and ridden 7th, blundered and lost 2nd 4 out, weakened 3 out, went left again next
soon well off the pace in 3rd, closed into 2nd 4 out, ridden and no impression before the last, lost 2nd run-in
made all, jumped left 1st and next, not fluent last, kept on well run-in
soon well off the pace in 4th, closed into 3rd before 3 out, stayed on into 2nd run-in, no impression
Agapanthus defied a 7lb penalty for his Newton Abbot victory when landing the odds at Uttoxeter in October but a further 11lb rise looks harsh as those victories were over hurdles and he pulled up on his only start over fences. BALLYEGAN is exceptionally consistent though it was a surprise to see him dropping down to the minimum trip here last week as his earlier form had been over much further. However, his stamina came into play in the closing stages and he can defy a 7lb penalty. Martin Cash wasn't in the best of form when last seen at the backend of last year and he's still 5lb higher than his only victory while Green Du Ciel was a long way behind the selection last week.
Agapanthus (GER) 8-13fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 6th, led 3 out, not fluent 2 out, 3 lengths ahead when not fluent last, all out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct beating Straits Of Messina (11-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Martin Cash (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in last pair, headway tracking leading trio 11th, pushed along before 4 out, one pace under pressure and no impression next, went modest 3rd at the last, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Major Milborne (11-9) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Ballyegan (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Led until 4th, pressed leader, led again 6th until went left and headed 4 out, ridden and looked held before 3 out, rallied as leader blundered last, led again run-in, driven out, won at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs beating Jackthejourneyman (11-9) by 2l, 7 ran.
Green Du Ciel (FR) 3-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, driven along and one pace in 4th after 4 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 18l behind Ballyegan (10-7) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs.
