tracked leader, driven to challenge after 3 out, stayed on strongly to lead close home
jumped well, tracked leader, left in lead 4th, strongly challenged after last, headed and no extra closing stages
led, quickly pulled up before 4th, dismounted
held up in touch, weakened after 9th, soon tailed off, remote 4th
chased leaders, slow 1st, lost touch 10th, tailed off 4 out, moderate 3rd
NonRunner
Definite Future has already won three times over fences, including one over this course and distance. He was second here in a handicap two weeks ago and goes well for amateur Richard Patrick. Ballybolley is rated higher, however, though he was entered to run yesterday at Ascot and would be a doubtful starter if taking up that option. That could leave the way clear for ABIDJAN, who will have had plenty of schooling since falling at Fontwell in August and still has time on his side. It's hard to make a case for any of the other three.
Ballybolley (IRE) Evensfav (11-11) Tracked leader, challenging when not fluent 4 out, mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, led narrowly flat, ridden out, won at Wetherby 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct beating Shear Rock (11-4) by nk, 4 ran.
Definite Future (IRE) 10-11fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led 4th, soon headed, ridden before 2 out, no impression on winner, edged right and well held flat, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Adam du Breteau (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Bobby Cullen (IRE) 3-1 (12-1) Ld, rdn along from 4out, hdd next, 3rd and no extra str, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Sweet As A Nut (12-1) at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m mdn gs in Oct.
Finch Flyer (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) In rear, detached from 6th, 4th of 5, dist behind Pinkie Brown (10-4) at Towcester 2m (4) gf in Oct.
The Jugopolist (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Tracked winner, ridden 3 out, one pace and lost 2nd approaching last, 3rd of 5, 9 1/4l behind Its'afreebee (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f (3) gd in Oct.
Abidjan (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Tended to jump right, led until not fluent and headed 3rd, chased winner, went badly right and fell 12th, at Fontwell 2m 5f (4) gd in Aug.
