made most until headed approaching 5th, led again 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, led again after last, driven out
held up in rear, headway and going well 4 out, challenged 3 out, led on bit after 2 out, hit last, soon headed, ridden and one pace
held up in touch, effort 4 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, led approaching 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next
with leaders, weakened after 4 out, behind and beat when fell next
held up in touch, led after 4th, headed approaching next, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, ridden and weakened from 3 out
held upd, mistake 5th, weakened from 4 out
The top four look to have it between them here, and the vote goes to Ballyjohnboy Lord to get the better of Livingonaknifedge, Planters Punch and Best Accolade. The selection has his first outing in Britain since joining Michael Scudamore from Eamonn Sheehy. He relishes soft ground and a test of stamina, so this extended 2m 4f will be spot on for him and with the yard having winners he should be straight enough. Livingonaknifedge is another who shouldn't mind the step up in trip and was a heavy ground winner at Uttoxeter last time. With confidence gained from that he looks a danger. Planters Punch was a soft ground winner at Carlisle in November, but found things tougher at Ayr last time. However, both efforts would be good enough to get him involved in the context of this race if he stays. Of the others, Best Accolade is interesting on his first start for almost a year. He is sure to have been well schooled and should revel in the ground, so any market interest would probably be significant, but without that knowledge we take Ballyjohnboy Lord to score.
Ballyjohnboy Lord (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Prominent, improved to lead again 3 out, strongly pressed when mistake next, ridden and kept on well to go clear from before last, eased run-in, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl sft in Oct beating Gilt Benefit (10-8) by 3 1/2l, 20 ran.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway to lead approaching 3 out, kept on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (F) hvy in Dec beating Magnesium (11-2) by 6l, 17 ran.
Planters Punch (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, headway 4 out, ridden, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 20, 17l behind Up Above (11-2) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Best Accolade 5-2jt-fav (11-1) With leader, ridden over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Witch Wind (10-11) at Newcastle 2m nhf (H) sft.
Fourswainby (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 13th of 14, well behind Percussionist (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Pride of Finewood (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 12th of 17, 44l behind Napoleon (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gf in Dec.
Shady Baron (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased winner 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Melmount Star (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (E) gd in Aug.
Xamborough (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 14, 17l behind Natal (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (C) gd in Dec.
