held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, soon outpaced, stayed on to take modest 3rd flat, no chance with front pair
tracked winner to before 4 out, outpaced next, no chance with clear pair from 2 out, lost modest 3rd flat
tracked front pair, went 2nd before 4 out, outpaced after next, ridden between last 2, kept on but always held from last
made all, clear after 3 out, came towards stands side turning into straight, ridden out flat, kept on
held up in touch on outside, outpaced in 4th before 3 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in touch on inside, lost place when ridden after 8th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
This has cut up but five of the six who have stood their ground have already won over timber and Dashing Perk has shown ability between the flags and in bumpers. Mon Palois has his ground but needs to take a further step forward. Ballymountain Boy is looking a bit exposed but should find this easier that the Grade 2 he contested at Chepstow. ROBBIN'HANNON is developing into a useful stayer and should have too much for chaser Calett Mad, who won easily over the smaller obstacles at Perth but had little to beat and the race run to suit. Mister Mister may find this company too hot.
Ballymountain Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leader, slight lead after 4th until pushed along and headed after 7th, chased winner until 4 out, ridden and weakened from 3 out, beaten when blundered next, 6th of 9, 21 1/2l behind Poetic Rhythm (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct.
Mon Palois (FR) 1-6fav (11-5) Made all, clear from last, kept on, won at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gf in Oct beating Pistol Shoot (10-12) by 21l, 0 ran.
Robbin'hannon (IRE) 1-12fav (11-5) Made all, shaken up before 2 out, edged left run-in, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Sep beating The Real Snoopy (10-12) by 2l, 3 ran.
Calett Mad (FR) 2-5fav (10-12) Tracked clear leader, close up bypassing omitted 3 out, ridden after 2 out, led between last 2, mistake last, drew clear flat, kept on, won at Perth 3m (4) hvy in Sep beating Creevytennant (10-12) by 22l, 3 ran.
Dashing Perk 7-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, 2nd 4 out, challenged from 3 out, driven and every chance soon after last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Imperial Bay (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Mister Mister (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Led from 1st to 2nd, every chance 2 out, led last, held on towards close home, won at Worcester 2m 7f mdn (5) gd in Sep beating Buster Edwards (11-0) by hd, 5 ran.
