tracked leading pair on inside, went 2nd at 5th, led before 2 out, headed before last, weakened and awkward last
led until jumped slowly and dropped to 3rd at 5th, not much room and not run on after 3 out
chased leader, led 5th until before 2 out, no extra in 3rd
raced keenly, held up in 4th, good headway into 3rd and edged left after 3 out, 2nd travelling well before next, led before last, driven clear
None have scored over hurdles but Perpignan is a point-to-point winner and the rest have posted Flat wins for other stables. Good Time Ahead, a five-time Flat winner, ran well over timber last time on third start for Suzi Best and sets the form standard on that evidence ahead of Highland Bobby, a Flat winner for the O'Meara team and now having a first start for Olly Murphy. Meagher's Flag won in Ireland for Jim Bolger and has joined Sophie Leech from Paul Nicholls for whom he only performed on the level. BALLARD DOWN, rated 90 on the level, landed a Class 3 handicap at Windsor on his first start for the Pipe team. He should be well suited by this sharp track and good ground and is taken to make a winning start over hurdles.
Ballard Down (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Started very slowly, well behind, minor late headway, never a factor, 6th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Via Serendipity (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (3) pol in Jun.
Good Time Ahead (IRE) 17-2 (11-9) Held up in touch, ridden and every chance 2 out, close 3rd when hit last, one pace, 3rd of 12, 3 3/4l behind Global Tour (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Perpignan (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, well beaten before 2 out, 7th of 10, 25 3/4l behind Barranco Valley (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Highland Bobby 20-1 (8-13) Slowly away and went right start in rear, wide and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 5 1/4l behind Buckland Boy (9-7) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (6) gd in Apr.
Meagher's Flag (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Prominent, led over 3f out, headed and edged left just over 1f out, no extra and lost 3rd close home, 4th of 12, 8l behind Shovel It On (10-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f stks (6) pol in Jun.
