in rear, left 3rd after 4th, chased winner and about 25 lengths down going to last, no impression
made most, headed briefly going to 2 out, clear before last, readily
tracked winner until approaching 4th, soon faultered and pulled up after
tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner approaching 4th, led briefly approaching 2 out, lost 2nd before last, no impression
ALONSO DE GUZMAN starts life over hurdles at a winnable level and he gets the nod accordingly. Tim Vaughan's gelding hasn't been seen for some time but back in 2008 he was rated in the 70's on the flat and he got a positive mention in a recent stable tour. Ballylanigan has plenty of experience to draw on and Gordon Elliott has not set his sights too high in sending this chaser for this contest, whilst Follow On is a course and distance winner but has plenty to find on official ratings. Earth Magic is respected as he returns from a break; novice chasing didn't go to plan last season but this talented Irish recruit should be effective at this level. Treason Trial is the other to consider despite a lacklustre flat run at Catterick.
Bubses Boy 10-1 (10-4) Not fluent, held up, mistake 5th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 19l behind Zafar (11-12) at Southwell 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Earth Magic (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led to 3rd, reminders and in rear from 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Tara Royal (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f beg chase (3) gd in May.
Maree Prince (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Not fluent 1st or next, always in rear, 7th of 11, 34l behind Holiday Cocktail (10-12) at Hexham 2m sell hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Treason Trial 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 6th, some headway after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 12, 48l behind Frontier Spirit (10-11) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Sep.
Follow On 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 6th, passed beaten horses latter stages, tailed off, 5th of 14, 44l behind Douglas Julian (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Oct.
Alonso de Guzman (IRE) 13-8fav (9-7) Led, ran wide entering straight inside final 2f, soon headed, chased winner after and closed again near finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Epsom Salts (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 5f app hcp (5) pol in Nov '08 (flat).
Ballylanigan (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division early, dropped towards rear before halfway, pulled up before 7 out, in a race won by Wins Now (11-7) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs 0-123 gf in Jul, 19 ran.
