slowly into stride, soon recovered into mid-division racing keenly, lost place 5f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led 3f out, drew clear from 2f out
led 2f, pressed leader, led again over 8f out until 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out
took keen hold, led after 2f until over 8f out, weakened quickly 7f out, pulled up after
held up, pushed along and struggling over 6f out
held up, pushed along 6f out, soon no chance
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 3f out, no chance with winner final 2f
in rear, headway over 6f out, outpaced final 3f
mid-division, ridden 5f out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, took keen hold, ridden in 6th 5f out, stayed on from over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, no impression
Strangely this bumper will probably attract more attention than any other race on the day as Tony McCoy returns to action on the 125,000euros purchase KEY TO THE WEST. Nicky Henderson has an outstanding record in such contests and connections will presumably be keen to give the champion jockey a strong chance on his comeback ride. Whisky Yankee, a 50,000euros purchase, represents Paul Nicholls and the best advice is to see how the market moves for the representatives of the two big gun yards. Hurricane Henry and Moneymix are other newcomers to keep an eye on whilst Ballyalton comes here on the back of a very pleasing winning debut in an Irish point-to-point in November.
Avrumi Kayf Tara gelding out of Bit Of A Citizen.
Ballyalton (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Rr mid div, prog 6out & 5th 5out, 2nd bef 3out, 1l 2nd with ev ch when lft in ld 2out, 4l adv at last, so, won at Boulta 3m ire ptp sft in Nov beating Dromnea (11-7) by 15l, 16 ran.
Beggar's Velvet (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) in a race won by Plettenburg (12-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp gf in Apr, 12 ran.
Bill The Lad (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Ld/disp, hdd briefly 5out, sn ld agin 4L adv 2out, no danger, won at Kilmallock 3m ire ptp gd in Apr beating Clear Hills (11-7) by 2l, 9 ran.
Bit Of A Scruff (IRE) Westerner gelding out of Collage.
Further More (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear on outside, headway 5f out carried wide on bend over 3f out, no impression over 2f out, 5th of 14, 25l behind Rugged Jack (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Hurricane Henry (IRE) Highest Honor gelding out of Make Rings.
Key To The West (IRE) Westerner gelding out of Monte Solaro.
Moneymix Fair Mix gelding out of Sticky Money.
Rainbow Dancer (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Tavildara.
Whisky Yankee (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Southcoast Gale.