made all, shaken up and hung left approaching 2 out, pushed clear from last, easily
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
soon behind, reminders and ridden 3rd, weakened 6th, tailed off
chased leader to 3rd, lost place 5th, tailed off and pulled up 6th
held up last, ridden some headway after 3 out, stumbled badly and blundered last, not recover
mid-division, ridden and chased leaders after 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, ridden 7th, weakened 2 out
prominent, hit 4th, not fluent 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, kept on from last, no chance with winner
prominent, ridden and headway after 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well from last
held up in touch, ridden 2 out, stayed on from last
Denman gets the call here ahead of Candlelight Valley and Karanja. Related to some good winners, Denman upheld the family tradition by beating subsequent scorer Lyes Green here on his debut and he looks set to go well again. From a good yard, Candlelight Valley is well-bred for this game and is respected. Highland Chief flopped on soft ground last time but had earlier shown promise when fourth on his Ludlow debut. It's My Party has shown promise but is unlikely to be quite good enough, but three-time bumper winner Karanja found only Jeremy Puddle Duck too good for him on his hurdling debut, and he too is respected. Spartan Place has shown enough to suggest he can win a race, but we prefer others today. Finally, Ballistigo has not shown too much yet and the market might provide the best guide to Barney Blue's chances. Overall, though, the vote goes to Denman.
Denman (IRE) 5-6fav (10-11) Held up, headway 7th, challenged and led 2 out, ridden approaching last, hung left under pressure flat, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gd in Oct beating Lyes Green (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ballistigo (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, no impression leaders from 7th, 6th of 12, 23l behind Prins Willem (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (B) gd in Apr.
Barney Blue (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Six Of Spades.
Battling Buster (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Mistakes, behind, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Church Island (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (B) gs, 7 ran.
Candlelight Valley (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of Curragh Breeze.
Highland Chief (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led to 5th, remained close up until weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind Jeremy Cuddle Duck (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (C) sft in Oct.
It's My Party 50-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Desert Quest (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (D) frm in Oct.
Karanja 6-5fav (10-12) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders approaching 3 out, challenging when hit 2 out, every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, hd behind Jeremy Cuddle Duck (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (C) sft in Oct.
Laharna 10-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, always in rear, 8th of 16, 35l behind Oscar Park (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Secret Divin (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Keen hold, mistake 2nd, held up in rear, struggling 3 out, 8th of 16, 27l behind Mikado Melody (10-12) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Oct.
Spartan Place 12-1 (11-3) Prominent, led and mistake 3 out, headed between last 2, one pace and no impression before last, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Victom's Chance (11-3) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gs in Feb.
Surface To Air 8-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, never a factor, 10th of 13, 9l behind Frontlinefinancier (9-4) at Folkestone 2m hcp (6) gd in Jul (Flat).
