held up in last, closed from after 3 out, every chance approaching last, no extra inside final 100 yards
held up in touch in 5th, closed from after 5th, pushed along before 2 out, every chance approaching last, weakened last
tracked leaders, challenged 7th, led before 3 out, edged left flat, stayed on well
tracked leader, led 4th, mistake next, headed approaching 3 out, every chance approaching last, stayed on flat, no impression on winner inside final 100 yards
led, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, headed 4th, lost place after 2 out, rallied and every chance approaching last, stayed on flat, no impression on winner inside final 100 yards
chased leaders, not fluent 3 out or 2 out, lost place approaching last, soon weakened
Considering he stood still when the tapes went up and was racing over a trip short of his best, BALLYALTON still managed to keep his winning run going here last month. He's taking on decent opposition again but can keep his Festival hopes on track by giving 4lb to Racing Pulse, impressive when winning by 17 lengths at Newcastle on his first start for John Quinn. Royal Regatta is tough but may just lack the class to defy a double penalty and Vivaldi Collonges' Wetherby second hasn't worked out. The mare Flementime made a promising start at Uttoxeter, however, and should be winning when she has her sights lowered.
Ballyalton (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Stood at start for 20 seconds before getting going, prominent, mistake 5th, led after 2 out, headed narrowly before last, soon led again, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd in Dec beating Garde La Victoire (11-8) by nk, 9 ran.
Royal Regatta (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Keen tracked leader 2nd, led 5th, hit 3 out, ridden clear run in, won at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Allow Dallow (10-12) by 9l, 10 ran.
Aubusson (FR) 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, went 2nd next, led last, kept on flat, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Carole's Destrier (10-9) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
Racing Pulse (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) In touch in 5th, went 2nd before 3 out on bit, led 3 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Newcastle 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Sir Mangan (10-12) by 17l, 10 ran.
Regal Diamond (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Tracked winner until ridden approaching 3 out, soon well held in 4th, blundered last, 4th of 7, 35l behind Splash of Ginge (11-7) at Aintree 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Vivaldi Collonges (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Rally (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Flementime (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Soon in touch on outside, hit 3rd, went 2nd approaching 3 out, not fluent next, no impression on winner before last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Legacy Gold (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
