held up in touch, lost position 5th, rallied 7th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, headway to lead approaching 3 out, soon clear easily
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leader, led after 7th, headed approaching next, weakened 2 out
soon in rear, tailed off 5th, pulled up after 7th
held up mid-division, headway approaching 6th, chased winner 3 out, no impression
held up, headway 3rd, ridden along 7th, soon weakened, eased flat when beaten
prominent, ridden 7th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
always behind, hit 1st, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led until headed and weakened quickly after 7th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway 3rd, weakened 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 7th
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Ballyshan gets the vote over Love of Classics, with Alformasi, Born Leader and Geordie Peacock others to note. Ballyshan ran really well at Wetherby on his third outing a fortnight ago, coming out of the pack to give the favourite Supreme's Legacy a scare. He was travelling just as well as the market leader on the home turn, and but for clouting the second last he may well have gone even closer. Love of Classics has improved for the fitting of cheekpieces and more lately a visor over the winter, finishing second on each of his last three outings. He ran on again close home at Towcester on Boxing Day, and today's trip of three miles will be in his favour. Alformasi is only lightly raced, and given that he hails from a top stable, will be expected to do better in time. He was a well beaten sixth behind stablemate Be Be King here just after Christmas and is another that will be better suited to today's longer journey. It is hard to say whether Born Leader appreciated the trip when well held behind True Lover at Newbury, but this is a drop in class, while Geordie Peacock really looks one for the future. Ballyshan really caught the eye last time and deserves to go one better.
Alformasi 50-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 15, 13l behind Be Be King (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Ballyshan (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 7th, every chance 3 out, stayed on well, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Supreme's Legacy (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 7f nh mdn hdl (5) sft.
Born Leader (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders from 7th, close up when mistake 3 out and weakened, 9th of 20, 22l behind True Lover (10-11) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (D) gs in Mar '04.
Geordie Peacock (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Led to 12f out, tracked leader to over 4f out, soon lost place, 5th of 12, 10l behind Mr Ex (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (H) gd in Oct.
Grey Court 100-1 (10-7) Jumped very slowly 1st, well behind when refused at the 2nd in race won by Cantgeton (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs in Aug, 9 ran.
Havit 250-1 (10-12) Tailed off from 4th, jumped badly left 6th pulled up at the 8th in race won by Before Dark (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) sft, 16 ran.
Kildonnan 4-1jt-fav (10-12) Led, ridden, headed soon after 3 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 15, well behind Alfasonic (10-12) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft.
Love Of Classics 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 6th, ridden and every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 10, nk behind Franco (10-4) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Dec.
