led, hit 1st, not fluent next, headed and hit 10th, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out
mid-division on outside, towards rear when blundered and unseated rider 9th
held up in rear, not always fluent, headway 3 out, never troubled leaders
prominent, led 10th, ridden and headed 3 out, no extra last
tracked leaders, mistake 10th, hit 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, not fluent 7th, ridden 11th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, mistake 7th, weakened after 11th
held up in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 8th, headway after 11th, chased winner 2 out, soon hung left, every chance flat, held towards finish
hit 1st, chased leaders, lost place and ridden 3rd, mistake 7th, soon lost touch, scrambled over last 3, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway on inside when mistake 7th, jumped left 9th, weakened after 11th, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, fell 9th
prominent, not fluent 1st, led 3 out, driven after next, hit last, joined flat, stayed on gamely
Ballabrook is likely to take home a fair share of prize-money providing there's some give in the ground, especially as he's entitled to have come on for his seasonal return, but in DESPERATE DEX he meets a rival who may prove that bit more progressive. Ferdy Murphy's runner has progressed well from a lowly rating over fences and did well to win on his return at Kelso, with conditions faster than he'd like. This drop in trip shouldn't be a problem and there's more to come from the horse. Restezen D'Armor is quickly sent over fences and remains progressive but he'll need to take to them at the first time of asking to feature here so is overlooked along with Ormello and Badger Foot, although the latter represents a shrewd and in-form outfit.
Master Somerville 5-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon reminders in rear, fell next, in a race won by Storymaker (10-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Apr, 11 ran.
Ormello (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Held up mid-division on inside, blundered 5th, weakening when blundered 4 out, took poor 4th close home, 4th of 9, 45l behind Swincombe Rock (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Sep.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, plugged on, no impression, 4th of 10, 21l behind Ammunition (10-8) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Badger Foot (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Struggling 6th, behind when jumped slowly next, pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Frosted Grape (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Sep, 10 ran.
Magnetic Pole 12-1 (10-10) Mistake 7th, soon struggling, 7th of 10, 46l behind Sir Ian (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sep.
Guns And Butter (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 9th of 10, well behind I'm Your Man (10-2) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct '09.
Ballabrook (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, kept on from last, held towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Amalfi Coast (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
Restezen D'armor (FR) 9-2 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching 2 out, headed final 100 yards, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Miss Saffron (10-13) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Ragador 10-1 (10-0) Led after 1st, not fluent and headed 6th, lost place before 9th, well behind 11th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Frosted Grape (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Sep, 8 ran.
Desperate Dex (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out to chase leaders, about 3 length down when left 2nd at last, soon ridden, kept on gamely to lead towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 6f ch (0-95) (5) gd beating Red Dynamite (10-12) by nk, 10 ran.
Pelo Du Bief (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, lost place when mistake 5th, not fluent and lost touch next, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Morning Sunshine (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Deuteronomy (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Led to 2nd, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out, 6th of 10, 36l behind Stormin Exit (10-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
