jumped well, made all, came clear after 10th, heavily eased flat, unchallenged
raced wide, chased winner, mistake 4th, pushed along after 8th, reminders and struggling 10th, no chance after, just held on for 2nd
blundered 1st, chased leading pair, blundered 7th, reminder and struggling after 8th, not fluent 9th, lost touch next, went left last, rallied to press for poor 2nd close home
BALLYGARVEY was biting off more than he could chew at Cheltenham last time but easily won a handicap over course and distance previously. His proven ability to handle the forecast ground is a big plus and he could be the one to beat with last year's Limerick winner Clouded Thoughts having been well beaten in his two starts since arriving in this country, albeit at a higher level. Roman Conquest was entitled to need his comeback run at Haydock and showed promise a couple of years ago but Dark And Dangerous has disappointed since finishing third over 2m here in November.
Ballygarvey (FR) 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, mistake 9th, headed 11th, lost place next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Vino Griego (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
Clouded Thoughts (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, blundered 13th, outpaced before 4 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 9, 33l behind Ballyallia Man (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Dark And Dangerous (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, never dangerous, 11th of 16, 13l behind Dr Livingstone (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (3) std in Jan.
Roman Conquest 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, behind when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Majala (11-3) at Haydock 2m nov chs (2) hvy in Dec, 5 ran.
