tracked leading pair, not much room and pecked 12th, blundered 15th, 16th, 17th, and 4 out, 2nd before 3 out, ridden before led 2 out, 3 lengths ahead when mistake last, idled and driven run in, stayed on
led, not fluent 6th, mistakes 16th and next, blundered 4 out, headed and outpaced into 3rd before mistake next
tracked leader, mistake 12th, not fluent next (water), jumped slowly 4 out, led before 3 out, blundered and headed 2 out, 3 lengths down when not fluent last, driven and kept on same pace run in
BENBENS has been quick to make up for lost time over fences and easily reversed debut running with multiple winner Cloudy Joker at Ludlow on his second start after a lay-off. He has a penalty to overcome here but can still get the better of Exeter scorer Thomas Wild, though the latter should strip fitter for that run. Yellow Ball is only a six-year-old and wasn't beaten far over a longer trip here in January off today's mark. She won't go down without a fight but could get caught out if this turns into a tactical battle.
Benbens (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Made all, driven clear approaching 4 out, stayed on well from next, eased towards finish, comfortably, won at Ludlow 2m 4f (3) sft in Feb beating Cloudy Joker (11-6) by 9l, 5 ran.
Yellow Ball (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led before 2nd, clear before 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 12, 23l behind Tullyesker Hill (11-3) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Feb.
Thomas Wild 13-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, steady headway 9th, went 3rd before 4 out, chased clear leader between last 2, 10 lengths down and no chance last, left in lead final 100 yards, driven out, won at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Feb beating Nodebateaboutit (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
