held up in touch, hampered 7th, close 4th 3 out, ridden and slightly hampered next, no extra from last
tracked leader, hit 3rd, led 4 out, narrowly headed next, soon ridden, kept on same pace
tracked leaders until 6th, in touch when stumbled badly 8th, pulled up before next
lost touch from 7th, tailed off
held up, short lived effort after 4 out, never a danger
led, headed and pecked badly 4 out, stayed on again from 2 out
held up, smooth headway to track leaders after 7th, led 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably
tracked leaders until fell 7th
in touch, driven to chase leaders from 7th, led 3 out, went right and headed next, kept on but not pace of winner
Ballez showed enough in limited starts over hurdles in France to suggest that he may be good enough to win this and is taken to do so at the main expense of Royal Hector and Keepthedreamalive. The last mentioned has run with promise in two starts this term to suggest that he has claims if the selection is not fit enough for his debut for connections. Carthys Cross, a winner over hurdles at Wincanton last season when last seen, is an interesting contender on his chasing debut and has to be considered along with Gary Moore's Alrafid, although eh would need to improve to trouble the selection. Royal Hector has the ability to play a part if fully wound up for this but preference is for Ballez who also lacks a previous run, which is of concern, but he looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to open his account.
Alrafid (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Took keen hold, soon in mid-division, headway approaching 6th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Darrias (10-10) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in May.
Carthys Cross (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Prominent, chased leader 2 out, ridden and led last, ran green flat and headed briefly, hard driven to lead again close home, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Apr beating Allumee (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Ingres 9-2 (10-11) Held up and behind, mistake 12th, lost touch approaching 14th, went poor 3rd after 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 6, 42l behind Underwriter (10-8) at Hereford 3m 1f nov chs (E) gs.
Jonanaud 40-1 (11-5) Always in rear, tailed off from 4 out, 13th of 18, well behind Mouseski (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Oct.
Keepthedreamalive 33-1 (10-10) Close up, led 4 out, headed 2 out, chased winner until weakened flat, 4th of 17, 6l behind The Market Man (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gd in Oct.
Royal Hector (GER) 33-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, 21st of 29, well behind Idole First (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Sett Aside 10-1 (12-0) won at Upton-On-severn 2m 5f ptp gf in Apr '04 beating Stantons Church (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ballez (FR) (11-3) Held up, headway and every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Takis (10-6) at Enghien 2m 2f hdl gd in Mar.
