took keen hold tracking leading pair, tracked winner 2nd until before 4th, 2nd again next until pushed along 3 out, soon outpaced and lost touch with leading duo
always last, pushed along and struggling from 13th, never remotely involved, tailed off
made all, ridden after 2 out, soon clear, unchallenged
tracked winner until hit 2nd, 2nd again before 4th until next, pushed along and went 2nd again 3 out, driven after 2 out, soon no impression
Smart chaser Hunt Ball is looking for a confidence-booster over hurdles but this trip is beyond his best and he may be worth opposing at the likely odds. SHWAIMAN ran in last year's Ascot Gold Cup and was sixth in the Chester Cup so is sure to appreciate today's big step up in distance after running twice so far over 2m. He was the only one to make a race of it with Zip Top here in January and today's better ground is in his favour. Driftashore sprang a surprise at Ffos Las on his hurdling debut but has won over 3m between the flags so isn't out of this. Ballochmyle is hard to fancy however.
Driftashore (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden approaching omitted last, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr beating Clancy's Cross (11-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
Ballochmyle (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders until soon after 5th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, 40l behind Gold Present (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Hunt Ball (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, tracked leaders 6th, outpaced in 4th after 3 out, kept on but no impression from next, 4th of 30, 26l behind Rajdhani Express (11-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Shwaiman (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Pressed winner, challenged 2 out, every chance when mistake last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Zip Top (11-5) at Fakenham 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
