held up, headway 8th, chased winner and every chance 2 out, switched right approaching last, one pace
led, headed 2nd, lost place 7th, behind when pulled up
mid-division, headway 8th, weakened next, no chance when pulled up
tracked leaders, lost place and weakened 7th
towards rear, headway 7th to chase leaders, ridden 2 out and soon beaten
held up, headway to join leaders 8th, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on
held up, blundered 5th, ridden 7th, struggled on
in touch, chased leader 6th, led 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened
mid-division, headway 7th, soon hard ridden and weakened after 3 out
led 2nd, set good pace, headed 8th, weakened
mid-division, never going well, steadily lost touch, tailed off when pulled up
Ballyfitz is sure to be popular following an impressive success at Chepstow but the 'bounce factor' has to come into consideration and he could struggle to concede weight to Tisseman and Nightfly. A 4lb rise may underestimate Tisseman's Kempton second and he remains open to improvement after just five starts over hurdles. He gets the nod today but Nightfly should be monitored for support on his return from a lay-off as he was good enough to finish in midfield in the 2006 Cheltenham bumper. Franco and The Very Man are both capable but need to bounce back from below par displays whilst Monteforte has ability and few miles on the clock but the percentage call is to side with the Henderson trained Tisseman.
Ballyfitz 9-2fav (11-2) In touch, headway 4 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating Ile de Paris (11-5) by 9l, 15 ran.
Franco (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) With leader until weakened from 3 out, 5th of 9, 28l behind Russian Trigger (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Nightfly (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led soon after 3 out, in command after next, in no danger when mistake last, won at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '06 beating Greenhill Bramble (10-9) by 5l, 14 ran.
Come Bye (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Always prominent, hit 3 out, ridden to lead approaching next, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Roaringwater (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Stolen Moments (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon no impression, 5th of 12, 21l behind Original Fly (10-10) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
The Very Man (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Mistakes in rear, jumped slowly 8th, soon ridden and weakened, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by The Hairy Lemon (11-12) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Ellway Prospect 11-4 (11-2) Held up mid-division, ridden before 5th, headway under pressure from 3 out, every chance when hit last, one pace flat, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Deep Reflection (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Coda Agency 9-1 (10-13) Chased leader, ridden 5th, one pace from 3 out, 6th of 16, 18l behind Gauvain (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Tisseman (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, blundered last, rallied flat but not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Knighton Lad (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Georges Boy (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Led 2nd to 7th, driven and lost place next, rallied from 2 out, stayed on to lead and mistake last, drew clear flat, won at Lingfield 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar beating Jades Double (10-8) by 5l, 12 ran.
English Jim (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Prominent, under pressure when mistake 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Jackie Boy (10-3) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Monteforte 12-1 (11-2) Led to 4th, soon dropped to rear, struggling when slow jump 13th, tailed of, 6th of 7, well behind Always Waining (11-4) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
