held up in touch, not fluent 10th, close 3rd last bend, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, challenged going well 4 out, led before next, drew clear from 2 out
led until after 3rd, led next, headed 10th, led 11th, headed 4 out, soon led again, headed before 3 out, no impression on winner from 2 out
held up in rear, headway 5th, mistake and unseated rider 8th
led after 3rd, headed 4th, mistake 6th, led 1oth, headed next, not fluent 12th, stumbled next, weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, mistake 6th, hit 8th, led 4 out, soon headed, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
A bad blunder put paid to BALLYHOME in a match with the smart Wholestone at Perth but this winning pointer and hurdler can have a say in a race like this if his confidence hasn’t been affected. Big Difference won over hurdles here in March and should also make a chaser. Sojourn has had just four career starts so is totally unexposed but Thelongwayaround will need to do better than when fourth at Sedgefield. Shanty Alley was also well beaten at Huntingdon.
Ballyhome (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Chased sole rival, about 6 lengths down and pushed along when mistake 4 out, sprawled badly on landing and came to a virtual standstill, pulled up before next, at Perth 2m 4f (3) hvy in Sep.
Sojourn (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 7th until driven 2 out, 3rd and no extra after, 3rd of 9, 17 1/2l behind Bubbles Of Gold (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Thelongwayaround (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up, behind from 11th, 4th of 5, 33 3/4l behind Windsor Avenue (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 3f (4) sft in Oct.
Shanty Alley 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, some headway before 2 out, no impression, 5th of 13, 23 3/4l behind Rebel Royal (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Big Difference (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, effort after 3 out, outpaced next, rallied last, ran on to lead closing stages, ridden out, won at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Jurys Out (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Oregon Gold (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, mistake 6th, behind 10th, mistake 4 out, 11th of 13, dist behind Rebel Royal (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
