raced keenly, sometimes jumped right, made all, clear 9th until approaching 4 out, going clear again when left alone 2 out
held up last, ridden after 9th, went 4th 11th, not quite on terms when blundered and unseated rider 14th
chased winner, ridden to close when hit 4 out, ridden before next, weakening when went left tried to refuse and unseated rider 2 out
held up in last pair, blundered 6th, dropped to last 11th, soon lost touch and struggling in rear, tailed off 13th, pulled up soon after
tracked leading pair, closed 4 out, ridden and 3 lengths down when fell 3 out
The mare Araucaria ran her best race over fences over 2m on this track but has yet to prove she stays this far. Quel Ballistic has been expensive to follow as he's unshipped his rider when favourite for his last two starts while Western Bound is making his debut over fences at an advanced age, though the ground has come in his favour. Stopped Out has won four times over timber and his turn doesn't look far away over the bigger obstacles but he may have to settle for a place again behind BRUSLINI. Evan Williams' charge has been in reasonable form in staying events over hurdles and can make a winning start over fences.
Bruslini (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division, blundered 7th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on under pressure to dispute 3rd approaching last, no impression, 4th of 14, 13l behind Bellflower Boy (11-0) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Quel Ballistic 85-40fav (11-12) Towards rear, blundered badly and unseated rider, in a race won by Quetzal (11-8) at Doncaster 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Jan, 9 ran.
Stopped Out 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, left in lead 12th, soon headed, no impression from 3 out, 2nd of 5, 22l behind Bold Sir Brian (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs.
Western Bound (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, in front 3 out, headed before straight, soon no extra, 9th of 16, well behind Caheronaun (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 sft in Jan.
Araucaria (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 5th, led 8th, mistake and headed 4 out, weakened next, 2nd of 6, 19l behind Victoria Rose (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f mrs nov chs (5yo+) (4) hvy in Jan.
