prominent, jumped left 2nd, soon led, driven and edged right flat, stayed on well
mid-division on inside, took keen hold, not always fluent, headway after 3 out, stayed on flat, just failed to get 2nd
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, driven approaching last, no impression on winner flat, kept on
led, jumped left 2nd, soon headed, slow 3rd, ridden and lost place after 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway next, not fluent when struggling 3 out, soon behind
chased leaders, wandered into 1st, lost place after 5th, well beaten after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, mistake next, closed when not fluent 3rd, not fluent 4th, every chance 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, slow 3rd, behind 5th, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, in touch after 4th, struggling when not fluent 3 out, soon behind
Goodbye Stranger overcame inexperience to make a winning start at Newbury but a line through the runner-up gives him something to find with SAGE ADVICE. Also a Triumph Hurdle entry, Richard Newland’s Irish import was always cantering over the opposition when scoring at Kempton and is worth sticking with. Cabot Cliffs has been highly tried since making a winning debut at Uttoxeter but Admiral Balko will need to take a big step forward from his second at Bangor in November. Balzac won on the Flat last July but this is a tough start over hurdles.
Cabot Cliffs (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 2 out, 3rd and held when not fluent last, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 14 3/4l behind Duffle Coat (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov.
Goodbye Stranger (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Raced keenly and restrained in rear, steady headway before 3 out, 3rd between last 2, ridden and stayed on run-in to lead last 100 yards, won going away, won at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec beating Kentucky Hardboot (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Sage Advice (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Held up in 5th, smooth headway and widest home straight, went 2nd when jumped right and bumped 2 out, led before last, quickened readily clear run-in, quite impressive, won at Kempton 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Tinnahalla (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Admiral Balko (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Disputed lead until led 5th, ridden 2 out, soon headed, one pace and hit last, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Pyramid Place (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Alberic (FR) 40-1 (10-12) In touch in mid-division on inside, struggling 5th, well beaten when mistake 2 out, 6th of 9, 24 1/2l behind Hamilton Dici (10-12) at Warwick 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Balzac 4-1 (9-2) Raced keenly, made all, joined 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Newbury 1m 2f stks (5) gs in Jul beating Mersin (9-2) by 1l, 10 ran.
Caldwell 15-2 (11-0) Raced wide throughout, led, headed 3rd, chased winner, ridden 4 out, struggling from next, jumped left 2 out, 2nd of 8, 32l behind Hacker Des Places (11-6) at Wetherby 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Yorkshire Gold 7-1 (9-5) Got upset in stalls, broke awkwardly, never going and soon behind, tailed off and eased from 3f out, last of 11, dist behind Canagat (9-3) at Newcastle 7f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Kimberley 150-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, dist behind Calico (11-4) at Ludlow 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
