made virtually all, clear approaching 2 out, cruised home, eased towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, challenged 5th, led briefly after next, mistake 3 out, lost 2nd before mistake next, no chance with winner, one pace
with winner until 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd again before 2 out, no chance
in touch in last, took keen hold, weakened from 4 out
The classy chaser HUNT BALL got off the mark over hurdles at Fakenham earlier this month. He beat a useful maiden by eight lengths and should have no problem following up here under a penalty against three moderate rivals. Astre Rose was tailed off when third at Newton Abbot last month but probably has more scope than November's Southwell fourth Goodacres Garden. Hot Madras has shown nothing to date.
Hunt Ball (IRE) 10-11fav (10-13) Made all, ridden after 2 out, soon clear, unchallenged, won at Fakenham 3m nh nov hdl (3) gd beating Shwaiman (10-13) by 8l, 4 ran.
Astre Rose (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd until 4 out, regained 3rd and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, well behind Take A Break (10-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Goodacres Garden (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, modest 4th well before 2 out, 4th of 9, 12l behind Definitely Better (11-9) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Hot Madras (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, jumped right next, behind 5th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Giveagirlachance (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gs, 10 ran.
