chased leaders, ridden and kept on same pace from last
held up, effort 2 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, stayed on to lead flat
held up and keen, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 5th, not fluent 3 out, headed flat, kept on
held up, weakened approaching 2 out
led, headed approaching 5th, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, one pace from 2 out
with leader, hit 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
MYSTIFIED has been consistent for his small yard, and can land the spoils here but On My Terms and Ballybanks are likely to find their supporters too. Mystified has a few pounds in hand with Ballybanks, and although he's not been at his best in his recent outings, he's had a very consistent and busy year. Back in the summer he had a run of eight races in which he wasn't out of the first two, either on the flat or over fences. His one success over hurdles came in that spell at Cartmel, albeit over slightly shorter, but he's shown in the past he can get this trip, and he's proved versatile in differing conditions. Ballybanks is lightly raced, and makes his debut for Chris Grant having previously been under the tutellage of Nicky Richards. He's not been seen since January so may need the run, and has to give away a fair chunk of weight too. On My Terms is a former winning Irish pointer, but since moving to Jim Lambe's yard has yet to get his nose in front, although he's run consistently well in defeat, but even Tony McCoy couldn't cajole him to victory last time out. Headgear's worked in the past for Mystified, and we think it can contribute to another success today.
Ballybanks (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Held up, struggling 7th, tailed off from 4 out, 9th of 11, well behind Prince De Beauchene (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Wor Rom (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) In touch on outside, lost place before 4th, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Solway Bay (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Mystified (IRE) 4-1fav (10-7) In touch, closed 8th, went 2nd going well 2 out, led approaching last, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind More Equity (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jul.
Fuel Cell (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) With leader when jumped right and bumped 1st, led 4th until after 2 out, mistake last, soon weakened, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Woody Valentine (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
On My Terms (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) In touch, every chance 3 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 16, 15l behind Dunbrody House (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
Emotive 11-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, 7th of 11, 10l behind Benmadigan (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Glen Rouge (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Close up, weakened 8th, last of 10, well behind Lady Sambury (10-4) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in May.
Dauntsey Bay 66-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, struggling 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off from next, last of 8, well behind Heez A Steel (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) gd.
Humourous (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) In touch, outpaced 7th, weakened 4 out, tailed off from next, 6th of 8, well behind Heez A Steel (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) gd.
