held up in mid-division, mistake 10th, reminders after 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
pulled early and held up in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
chased leader, mistake 7th, joined leader 10th, led 11th, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from last
led, not fluent 5th, headed 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
prominent, headway on bit approaching 4 out, led 3 out, driven clear last, easily
always behind, pulled up before 4 out
Sleep Bal has shown promise in both starts this term and, with Nicky Henderson's horses back among the winners, is taken to open his account at the main expense of Visibility and Limerick Boy. Martin Pipe's Visibility, who suffered at the hands of the handicapper over hurdles, took advantage of the fall of Limerick Boy to open his chasing account at Towcester last month. He undoubtedly has to be respected but the Venetia Williams-trained gelding looked to be travelling at least as well as the Pipe horse before coming down and, provided that the tumble has not left its mark, he should reverse the form. Holland Park was going well enough when falling three out behind Trabolgan at Lingfield on his chase debut in November and has claims but may not appreciate the drop in trip, while Laskari has more to do under a penalty than when winning a moderate contest at Taunton last time. The vote then goes to Sleep Bal, who was highly tried over hurdles, has shown promise in two starts over fences and hails from a stable coming into form right now.
