tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off
led narrowly, came stands side 3 out, soon hard pressed, ridden and headed last, no extra in clear 2nd flat
in touch on inside, chased leader after 4 out to next, weakened before last, lost moderate 3rd flat
held up in touch, struggling 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
prominent, ridden after 4 out, beaten before next, stayed on to take moderate 3rd flat, no chance with front pair
held up in touch, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, soon challenged, ridden to lead when mistake last, stayed on well flat
with leader, driven and lost place after 4 out, weakened next
BIG CASINO may be the answer to this novices' handicap as he kept on well once headed when third at Kempton in December. Garrahalish didn't run badly behind Mountain King at Ascot, despite only beating one home, while Bhakti should be winning soon judged on seconds at Wetherby and Leicester. Sealous Scout beat Spencer Lea in a bumper at Bangor on this day 12 months ago but hasn't really pulled up any trees so far over hurdles while Expanding Universe has had plenty of chances. Ballygrooby Bertie still has a bit of scope however.
Garrahalish (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 3rd, headed before 6th, outpaced after 3 out, no impression but closed when slightly hampered last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 5, 6l behind Mountain King (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (2) sft.
Big Casino 13-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, led after 2nd, headed before 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Junction Fourteen (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Bhakti (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Made most until after 3 out, beaten before last, one pace, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Mosspark (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Ballygrooby Bertie (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, plugged on to modest 4th well over 1f out, never any chance, 4th of 13, 20l behind My Tent Or Yours (11-2) at Kempton 2m n h flat (3) std.
Sealous Scout (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Led, ridden over 2f out, soon headed, weakened before last, 4th of 6, 20l behind Getabuzz (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Spencer Lea 9-1 (10-13) Tended to jump right, raced keenly, led, went right and hit 3rd, soon headed, chased winner, went right next, lost 2nd soon after 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off, 5th of 6, 44l behind Closing Ceremony (11-2) at Kempton 3m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Expanding Universe (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, not fluent 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 8, 28l behind Kodicil (11-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
