raced keenly, held up tracking leading pair, 2nd after 3 out, ridden and no chance with winner between last two
pressed leader, led 12th, advantage 3 out, clear next, reached for last, easily
raced wide, led, not fluent 1st, not fluent and headed 12th, chased winner, hit 3 out, soon lost 2nd and weakened
Hunt Ball made a bold bid to run the finish out of Splash Of Ginge in a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham nine days ago and looks to be back on song. He'll be tough to pass but BALDER SUCCES could have his measure. Alan King's smart chaser couldn't peg back Special Tiara over 2m here over Christmas but has won a Grade 2 over today's course and distance, when Fox Appeal was almost two lengths behind, and may need this trip nowadays.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up in last trio in touch, in rear when blundered 10th, headway, driven in 5th after 3 out, hit 2 out, plugged on flat, 5th of 6, 14l behind Al Ferof (11-11) at Ascot 2m 3f Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Balder Succes (FR) 11-10fav (11-5) Held up off the pace in 3rd, chased (clear) winner 6th, pushed along and struggling when not fluent 4 out, went right 2 out, kept on flat, never able to challenge, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Special Tiara (11-0) at Kempton 2m Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Hunt Ball (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Prominent, led 2nd, headed next, led 9th, headed before last, no impression on winner flat, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Splash of Ginge (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
